Debate contribution: Women in Agriculture

Debate contribution by Ms Aoife Finnegan on 11 March 2025.

MLA

Ms Aoife Finnegan

Party at the time

Sinn Féin

Date

11 March 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Women in Agriculture

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4855669

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I am delighted to discuss the crucial role of women in farming, an industry long dominated by men despite women's vital yet often invisible contributions. Agriculture is the backbone of rural communities, and it is essential that we address the barriers that women face in farm management. As we look to the future, we must ensure that women have equal opportunities to thrive and lead in that vital sector. The "Breaking the Grass Ceiling" report from the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee was an important step towards gender equality in farming. Launched on International Women's Day in 2022, it shed light on the challenges that women face culturally, socially and economically, whilst recognising their invaluable role in modern agriculture. With 98% of respondents affirming women's contributions to farm productivity, the report underscored the need for targeted support, including training and financial aid. I welcome its findings and fully support its call for action, urging DAERA to implement meaningful changes that empower women and secure a more inclusive future for farming. In my constituency of south Armagh, the Rural Health Partnership launched a project entitled "Women in Farming: More than Standing in a Gateway". The initiative challenges outdated views of the roles of women in agriculture, highlighting their vital contributions as farmers, farmhands, office managers and caregivers. The project deserves recognition as it closely aligns with the "Breaking the Grass Ceiling" report, highlighting and addressing the barriers that women face in agriculture. By tackling isolation, inequality and limited access to services, it plays a key role in strengthening rural communities and ensuring that the invaluable contribution of women in agriculture is fully recognised and supported. Some positive changes are transforming agriculture into a more inclusive industry. CAFRE is helping to drive that progress, with more women stepping into leadership roles in farm management and sustainability. More women than ever pursue agricultural education, proving that the future of farming is diverse, dynamic and open to all. However, further support is needed, including financial resources and training. The Farming for the Generations scheme claims to support new farmers, yet it removes direct financial aid and entitlement access, creating major barriers for those without family land. That disproportionately impacts on women, who already face challenges in breaking into the industry. Initiatives such as the farm business improvement scheme and the farm family key skills programme have seen female participation, but women still represent just 4% of those in business development groups, which highlights the need for more targeted actions. The financial support offered by DAERA for part-time students eases the challenge of balancing farm, family and education. The widening access and participation plan will further support women through bursaries and greater opportunities in agriculture. That work aligns with global initiatives such as the UN's International Year of the Woman Farmer in 2026, which highlights women's vital role in agri-food systems. Women make up 39% of the global agricultural workforce but still face discrimination in land ownership, financial access and pay. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is committed to addressing those disparities, and we must continue to support those efforts in the North. The South of Ireland is leading the way in supporting women in farming with initiatives such as the Women & Agriculture awards and fairer tax policies. In contrast, the British Government's proposed inheritance tax changes in the North will make it harder for women to inherit or transfer land. Living in south Armagh, I see the stark difference. Just a mile across the border, schemes such as Making Farms Work for Women and targeted agriculture modernisation schemes 3 (TAMS 3) provide real support, offering grants of up to 60% for trained women farmers, while women in the North have no such opportunities. We need an all-Ireland approach to ensure that women in farming, no matter where they live, have equal access to the support and resources that they need to succeed. The future of agriculture depends on the full participation of women. Farming is a way of life that requires passion, dedication and resilience. To any woman considering a career in agriculture, I urge you to go for it. Farming needs fresh ideas, strong leaders and hard-working individuals, and there absolutely is a place for you in that industry.

709 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:15 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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