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the australian farmer
decision-making roles. To encourage girls to see agri- culture as a career of opportunity and purpose. To back women-led innovation, research, and entrepreneurship. And to continue building an industry where talent and contribution matter more than tradition or stereotype. To the young women and girls considering a future in agriculture, my message is simple. There has never been a more exciting time to join this industry. Agriculture today is about far more than producing food and fibre. It is about science, technology, environ- mental stewardship, business, communications, engin- eering, policy, entrepreneurship. and global trade. There is a place for every talent. Don't wait until you think you're ready. Back yourself. Seek out mentors. Build your networks. Be curious. Say yes to opportunities that stretch you. Your perspective is valuable, and agriculture needs it. The International Year of the Woman Farmer should not simply be remembered as a year of recognition. It should be remembered as the year we renewed our commitment to ensuring women have every opportun- ity to contribute, lead, and shape the future of Austral- ian agriculture. Because the future of agriculture won't be built by one type of leader. It will be built by all of us.
mentoring are helping create pathways that simply didn't exist for many women a generation ago. Yet the International Year of the Woman Farmer re- minds us that progress is not the same as equality. Women continue to be underrepresented in leader- ship and decision-making across many parts of agricul- ture. Access to finance, land ownership, networks, and career progression remains uneven. While Australia's experience differs from many countries, these global challenges should prompt us to ask whether every woman and girl with the talent to contribute to agricul- ture truly has the same opportunity to succeed. This isn't simply a women's issue. It is an agricultural issue. The best decisions are made when they draw on di- verse perspectives, lived experience, and different ways of solving problems. Industries that harness the talents of all their people are better equipped to innovate, adapt to change, and build resilient businesses and communities. One of the greatest privileges of my role as President of Australian Women in Agriculture is meeting women from every corner of the country—and increasingly across our region. Recently, I joined colleagues in Papua New Guinea to deliver a leadership program for women working in agriculture. Despite the differences between our coun- tries, the conversations were remarkably familiar. Women everywhere are asking similar questions. • How do I create opportunities for others? • How do I balance competing responsibilities? These conversations remind us that while our con- texts may differ, our aspirations are often shared. They also reinforce the importance of building strong relation- ships across Australia and the Pacific, where we can learn from one another, strengthen our industries and create opportunities that extend beyond our own borders. So how should Australia mark the International Year of the Woman Farmer? Of course, we should celebrate the extraordinary contri- bution women make every day. But celebration alone is not enough. Let's use this year to invest in leadership develop- ment. To support more women onto boards and into • How do I build my confidence? • How do I navigate leadership?
Cressida Cains is President of Australian Women in Agriculture, co-founder of Pecora Dairy. and a national advocate for women's leadership, governance, and innovation across Australian agriculture.
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