Women are gaining weight in the agricultural sector. This is evidenced by data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE); female farm managers increased by 22% it has made up 28% of the total over the last ten years and is also in the Comité de Agricultura Ecológica de la Comunidad Valenciana concludes that 30 percent of producers are women, after a 26 percent increase in two years. These figures were analyzed at a meeting held. Asaja Women Alicante At a forum held in the municipality of Llíber, the organization stressed that the main challenges for agriculture in the coming years are to defend the profitability of producers, encourage generational renewal and promote the inclusion of women in the field on an equal basis with men.
Tere Antón, the provincial head of the Alicante women’s sector; Pedro Valero, president of ASAJA Elche; family psychotherapist Maite Muñío; and the mayor José Miguel Reus and councilor Susana Mcallister, representing the Llíber City Council. “There is no doubt that we are making progress on equality and empowerment, two concepts that are the focus of the day. Even if, Inequality persists between men and women in both salary levels and positions of power and in the care of the home, children and dependents”, explains Maite Muñío.
Tere Antón, president of Asaja Mujeres welcomed the fact that the number of women running farms is increasing The fact that they make decisions in the field is closely related to professionalization and education. “We meet agronomists, veterinarians, economists, businesswomen and professionals from other fields who are determined to take a step forward, become managers and leave behind the taboos that have burdened us for decades”. The National Institute of Statistics notes that female farm heads have grown by 22% over the past decade and now make up 28% of the total. Farm ownership has also increased and there are even more women in counseling or quality services.
However, Saja argues that there is still a long way to go in this area: First of all, the belief that agriculture or animal husbandry is “men’s work” definitely needs to be broken. Historically, while the male gender was at the forefront of the work done in the fields, the woman remained in the background, very important but overshadowed by it, helping in planting, harvesting, product packaging and probably being the first to try. Appreciate the produced fruits and vegetables before they are marketed. But it’s time to take a decisive step and abandon this role. Stop being just friends to become the leader of your farm. Secondly, says Saja Mujeres, “if income and profitability in this area increases, we will have more women entrepreneurs.”
As relevant data, Antón confirmed: Organic farming in the Valencian Community creates solutions for generation change and inclusion of women in the industry. “We recently learned in the Annual Report of the Valencia Community Committee on Organic Agriculture that 30% of CAECV-certified organic producers are women, meaning an increase in female participation within two years of which 26% belong to the ecological sector”.
The agricultural association awards the Rural Woman Award each year to promote the figure and importance of the female gender in the industry, in support of the great struggle for women to be undisputedly recognized as the engine of the economy and for society’s awareness of leadership. Cases that can set an example for other women who want to step into agriculture or animal husbandry.
The aim of the Women in Agricultural Enterprises sector is to raise their voices about the needs of rural women, to convey them to the society in general, as well as to institutions and organizations, to provide them with the information and training they need, and to encourage them. Taking on more responsibilities outside the home, taking more leadership and managerial positions in associations, cooperatives and companies. Its mission is also to denounce issues affecting women, one of which is gender violence. The sector in question has a provincial structure and presence in all these national borders, as well as a representation in Brussels.
Cooperation of the Alicante Provincial Council was carried out at the conference.