On October 9, 2024, Associate Professor Maura Farrell, the Project Coordinator for FLIARA, was invited to the Oireachtas in Leinster House, addressing the Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food, and the Marine. Joining Maura were Louise Weir, FLIARA Project Manager, and Aisling Murtagh, a FLIARA researcher, collectively representing the University of Galway. Their presentation shed light on the pivotal insights gathered from the project, aimed at empowering women in rural economies.
In her opening statement, Maura set the tone for a vital discussion on the evolving role of women in agriculture and rural communities. She highlighted the historical and ongoing significance of women in sustaining farms, families, and local economies. The Action Plan aims to bolster women’s participation across agriculture, agri-food, and agri-tourism sectors, ensuring their invaluable contributions are both recognised and supported.
Maura’s address poignantly reflected the long-standing underrecognition of women’s contributions to farming and rural life, advocating for greater inclusion and support. She articulated that while women have consistently been central figures in rural communities, traditional perceptions often render their work as supplementary or domestic.
“Empowering women in agriculture generates significant social and economic benefits, driving innovation, sustainability, and resilience in the sector,” Maura emphasised. She pointed to the considerable barriers women face, such as limited access to land, finance, and advisory education. Moreover, entrenched social and cultural expectations further restrict women’s opportunities, hindering their potential and the overall progress of the agricultural sector.

Addressing the Gender Gap in Agricultural Representation
In highlighting women’s contributions to farm diversification, Maura noted their significant roles in agritourism, food production, craft, and sustainable practices. This diversification not only enhances economic prospects but also promotes sustainable agriculture, essential for addressing pressing challenges like climate change, food security, and gender equality.
The discussion prompted responses from Senator Victor Boyhan, who expressed gratitude to the University of Galway, FLIARA team for their essential contributions. He raised concerns over the under-representation of women within the agricultural committee, underscoring the need for increased female involvement in policymaking processes.

Boyhan articulated the broader topic of women’s representation, noting the discrepancy between discussions about political quotas and the actual engagement of women within the committee. He called for fostering debates within agricultural organisations and networks to encourage women’s participation in these vital discussions.
In addressing the challenge of confidence among women in agriculture, Boyhan highlighted their expressed concerns about self-assurance, often tied to their experiences. He emphasised the importance of building confidence through practical experience, alongside other forms of support and recognition. He concluded by reiterating the historically undervalued yet central role of women in sustaining family farms, advocating for continued efforts to address these enduring challenges.
Innovative Practices and Policies for Women’s Engagement in Agriculture

Maura emphasised the regret over the under-representation of women on the Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine, highlightening the urgent need for women’s voices to be amplified to influence broader policy and community discussions. She outlined the FLIARA project’s focus on innovative practices by women in agriculture and rural areas across Europe, emphasising its funding from the EU’s Horizon Europe initiative with a budget of €3 million. The project has conducted 200 interviews, revealing women’s substantial contributions not only economically but also socially, culturally, and environmentally.
Louise Weir contributed to the discussion by making a point of the necessity of having women involved in decision-making processes. She highlighted the interconnected barriers preventing their participation, including childcare responsibilities, and called for the establishment of “soft infrastructures” to facilitate women’s engagement in agricultural discussions and leadership.

Aisling Murtagh added to the conversation by addressing the diversification of agriculture, noting women’s pivotal role in leading farm-based enterprises. She emphasised the need for educational measures and support for farm diversification, highlighting the potential to attract women back to farming, especially those who may have left rural areas.
Deputy Martin Kenny highlighted women’s essential contributions to diversifying rural enterprises, particularly in the mushroom industry, where many women have successfully managed operations due to their organisational skills and attention to detail. He advocated for the development of sustainable farm enterprises that position women at the forefront, ensuring long-term viability in the face of rising competition and costs.
Building a Supportive Environment for Future Generations

Senator Tim Lombard shared insights on the evolving family farm model since the 1960s, noting a shift from a husband-and-wife dynamic to predominantly male-operated farms in recent decades. This change has resulted in a lack of role models for women in farming, raising concerns about promoting female involvement in agriculture for future generations, including their daughters. Senator Lombard advocated for implementing quotas, akin to those in politics, to improve gender representation on boards and in leadership positions within agricultural organisations.
“The world changed in the 80s and 90s… and the lack of the role model then became an issue. We need to ensure that women have the opportunity to be involved in farming. My question is about quotas—should we consider them for cooperative societies, market boards, and even within the Department of Agriculture itself? This could help ensure women are at the head of agriculture, serving as role models for the next generation,” he said.

In response, Louise emphasised the importance of promoting women in agriculture and acknowledged that while quotas can help, underlying social constructs may still deter women from stepping forward. She stressed the necessity of addressing identity issues for female farmers and suggested that initiatives should start at the local level to inspire broader change.
Louise highlighted the project’s 20 female ambassadors as role models in various agricultural roles and called for a shift in language used in media representation to promote community engagement and education in elevating women to leadership roles. “To go to the top, you should start at the bottom. If you see it, you believe it. If you see it, you can become it,” stated Weir.

Aisling contributed by discussing the importance of learning from other sectors regarding gender equality initiatives. She noted that gender equality plans are now common in educational institutions, including the University of Galway, as prerequisites for accessing funding. Aisling suggested that similar plans could be applied to agricultural representative organisations to promote gender balance. She pointed out the potential for legal measures to ensure representation, referencing international examples where legislation has successfully mandated gender diversity on corporate boards. Aisling concluded that while voluntary measures are beneficial, serious issues may require stricter legal frameworks to drive real change. “If it needs to be something that has to happen in a very strict way, if it’s a very serious issue, I guess that’s when you bring in the law,” remarked Murtagh.
Recognising Progress and Addressing Challenges: Insights from Deputy Nolan and Deputy Fitzmaurice

Deputy Carol Nolan expressed her admiration for the progress being made in agriculture, particularly regarding the empowerment of women in the sector. She noted the historical marginalisation of women, stating, “Unfortunately, women were airbrushed into the background for so long for generations. But we are seeing a change.” Highlighting the growing number of young women enrolling in agricultural courses, she emphasised the importance of projects like FLIARA in creating platforms for women’s leadership. Nolan commended the collective efforts to instill confidence in women, stating, “What you’re doing is tremendous work and is certainly very, very valuable and will pave the way forward.” She underscored the necessity of continuing to break down barriers and foster a supportive environment for women in agriculture.

During the debate, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice posed a critical question to Maura Farrell, asking whether the Department of Agriculture is effectively advancing efforts to support women in farming. He highlighted the existing barriers and requested her perspective on how the Department could better facilitate women’s involvement in agriculture. Maura Farrell acknowledged the historical overshadowing of women in the sector but expressed optimism about progress, particularly through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan and the National Women in Agriculture Action Plan. She emphasised the importance of evaluating the impact of proposed measures, advocating for clear data-driven policies, and maintaining momentum to ensure that women’s contributions to agriculture are recognised and supported at all levels of education and employment opportunities.
To conclude the session, Deputy Fitzmaurice reflected on the significant losses in the farming sector across Europe over the past 12 to 15 years, emphasising the necessity of food production for survival. He urged the committee to recognise the importance of agriculture, regardless of differing perspectives. He underscored the challenges facing young farmers, both male and female, particularly the high costs of land, and advocated for solutions that would make farming a more attractive career option. Acknowledging the prevailing narrative that encourages young people to pursue non-agricultural jobs, he stressed the need for a unified direction in agricultural policies, alongside incentives to support newcomers in the field. Finally, Michael expressed gratitude to Maura, Aisling, and Louise for their contributions, officially adjourning the meeting and noting the date for the next public gathering of the committee.
The presentation at the Oireachtas provided a pivotal platform for advocating gender equality in agriculture, underscoring the significant contributions of women and the pressing need for enhanced representation and support. The combined voices of Maura, Louise, and Aisling resonated throughout the discussion, highlighting the necessity of addressing the barriers women encounter within the agricultural sector. It is essential to foster inclusive policies, establish supportive infrastructures, and amplify women’s voices across all levels of agricultural discourse to promote a more equitable and sustainable future for the industry. Watch the session below:
Immediate Legislative Action: Senator Boyhan Elevates Gender Equality in Agriculture to National Agenda
In a significant follow-up, Senator Boyhan raised the agenda directly in Seanad Éireann on October 10, emphasising the urgency of addressing gender equality in agriculture. This swift action reflects the importance of the issue and the FLIARA project’s impact on shaping future policy.
The FLIARA project, involving 15 partners across the EU, is dedicated to challenging gender norms and stereotypes while raising awareness of the critical economic value women bring to rural areas. Through practical tools and policy recommendations, FLIARA aims to integrate women more effectively into an inclusive innovation ecosystem in agriculture. The overarching goal is to create a Europe-wide rural innovation ecosystem that fully supports women-led innovations in farming and rural development.
With the FLIARA team’s contributions to the National Women in Agriculture Action Plan and the influential discussions at the Oireachtas, significant strides are being made toward fostering a more equitable agricultural landscape in Ireland and beyond. As the conversation continues, the commitment to empowering women in agriculture remains a pivotal focus for future development and innovation.