67. Showcasing women in European farming

The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Women Farmers. All the more reason, then, to pay tribute to them on International Women's Day on 8 March.

In the collective imagination, farming in the European Union is still too often considered the preserve of men. These prejudices are obstacles for women who want to start a farm or innovate in agriculture, but beyond that, they can discourage many women from even getting started in farming in the first place.

So – how can we change attitudes and ensure that women have the same opportunities as men in European agriculture?

In the 67th episode of the Food for Europe podcast, we take you to Germany and Lithuania to meet two female farmers with very different profiles: Mara Walz, a winegrower who is taking over the family vineyard, and Ina Grecka, a civil engineer from the city who converted to farming. Professors Sally Shortall from Newcastle University and Maura Farrell from the University of Galway discuss the structural causes of gender inequality in rural areas, suggest ways to redress the balance and talk about the unique nature of female innovation in agriculture.

Finally, Elena Schubert, Equality Coordinator for DG AGRI, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, takes stock of the situation of women in European agriculture today. She discusses the policy framework put in place by the EU to promote gender equality in the sector and talks about the ‘Women in Farming platform’ recently launched by DG AGRI, a forum for sharing experiences and networking to promote women in agriculture and inspire younger generations.