178
WOMEN IN AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURE
The future of agriculture needs women at every table
By Cressida Cains
The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer. It's a timely opportunity to celebrate women's contribution to agriculture and to ask what more we must do to unlock their potential.
Women have always been central to Australian agriculture. What has changed is that their leadership is becom- ing more visible, more influential. and more essential than ever before. Australian agriculture is currently facing some of its biggest challenges in history. Climate variability, work- force shortages, changing consumer expectations, technological disruption, geopolitical tensions, and increasing pressure on natural resources require new ways of thinking and new kinds of leadership. No single person or organisation has all the answers to ensure the industry remains strong and stable into the future. Our greatest strength will come from bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences to solve complex problems. That includes ensuring women are represented wherever decisions are made. Over recent decades, we've seen remarkable prog- ress. More women are studying agriculture, leading agri- businesses, chairing organisations, sitting on industry boards, and shaping national conversations. Programs that support leadership development, governance and
The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, led by the Food and Agri- culture Organization (FAO). It is a global recognition of the essential role women play across agrifood systems, while shining a light on the persistent barriers many continue to face including access to land, finance, re- sources, leadership opportunities and the ability to build resilience in the face of climate change. For Australia, this recognition is more than a celebration. It is an opportunity to reflect on how far we've come, acknowledge where work still remains, and ask what kind of agricultural future we want to create. When people picture an Australian farmer, many still imagine a man in a wide-brimmed hat standing beside a tractor. It's an image that has served us for generations, but it no longer tells the whole story. Across Australia, women are farming, leading busi- nesses, conducting research, driving innovation, influ- encing policy, serving on boards, and building stronger rural communities. They are managing family enter- prises, developing new technologies, advocating for industry, and mentoring the next generation. In many cases, they are doing all of these things at once.
Powered by FlippingBook