Farming conference aims to advance recognition of women in agri-food sector

A national conference on women in farming will take place to advance the recognition of women in the agri-food sector, chaired by former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Coughlan.

The announcement was made today by Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue at the national ploughing championship in Ratheniska, Co Laois.

Ms Coughlan, who was Tánaiste for three years in Brian Cowen’s government and deputy leader of Fianna Fáil, was also minister for agriculture from 2004 to 2008.

Donegal TD Mr McConalogue, who represents Ms Coughlan’s old constituency, said that gender equality is a priority for him and the Government and that the “significant contribution of women to the agri-food sector in Ireland has not always been afforded the recognition it deserves”

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“The convening of a national conference provides an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input on how to increase the visibility and status of women in agriculture.”

Last year the Government announced a range of measures to support women’s participation in farming as part of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) 2023-2027, which places a particular focus on promoting the participation of women in the socio-economic development of rural areas, with special attention to farming.

According to CSO statistics, 13 per cent of workers in the primary agriculture, forestry and fishing sector were women in 2019, rising to 15 per cent in 2020. The CSO’s farm structure survey, undertaken in 2016, recorded 71,700 women working on farms, of which less than a quarter were farm holders.

This suggests that 58,000 women are working in farming “without visibility and without status as a farm holder”, a statement from Mr McConalogue said. He said Ms Coughlan’s “expertise and experience equip her to lead for positive change on gender in the agri-food sector”.

Food Vision 2030, the Government’s 10-year strategy for the agri-food sector, includes actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels and recommended the national conference to discuss gender issues in farming.

Further details, including the date, will be confirmed later but it is expected the conference will take place in the coming months.