In Australia, researchers are investigating how microbes—including those found in soil—may influence emotional states and social relationships through the gut–brain axis.
Fao dedicates 2026 to women farmers, an undervalued pillar of the agri-food sector
Fao has proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Women Farmers, to promote global action for gender equality and women’s empowerment in agri-food systems.
- Women farmers play a fundamental role in agri-food systems, yet they remain disadvantaged compared with men in terms of access to assets and services.
- To raise awareness of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the sector, the Fao has designated 2026 as the International Year of Women in Agriculture.
- The aim is to promote actions and policies to close the gender gap: bridging it could increase global Gdp by one trillion dollars.
The Fao proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Women in Agriculture in order to increase awareness of women’s role in agri-food systems and to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the sector through the adoption of effective policies and actions to address the barriers and challenges women face.
The crucial role of women farmers, who face discrimination compared to men
Women farmers are essential for their contribution to food security, nutrition, and poverty eradication. Through their work, they ensure the economic survival of their families as well as rural and national economies. However, the Fao’s 2023 report The Status of Women in Agrifood Systems shows that, despite accounting for 41 per cent of the global agricultural workforce, women face significant discrimination. They encounter obstacles in accessing land and livestock ownership, quality and secure jobs, fair wages, participation in decision-making processes, credit, and financial services.
Women farmers generally work on smaller plots of land than men. Even when they manage farms of the same size, the gender gap in land productivity stands at 24 per cent. Women employed in wage labour within agri-food systems earn 78 cents for every dollar earned by men.
A climate disadvantage as well
Another FAO report published in 2024, The Unjust Climate, highlights a “climate disadvantage” affecting women in agriculture. Drawing on data from 24 countries across five world regions, the report combines socioeconomic indicators with georeferenced climate data, offering insights into how climate stressors affect incomes, labour allocation, and adaptation strategies among rural populations, with a particular focus on vulnerable groups such as women, young people, and those living in poverty.
For example, each day of extremely high temperatures reduces the total value of crops produced by women farmers by 3 per cent more than for men. In addition, a 1°C increase in long-term average temperatures is associated with a 34 per cent reduction in total household income in female-headed households, compared with male-headed households.
The benefits of gender equality in agriculture
According to FAO data, closing the gender gap in agriculture could increase global Gdp by one trillion dollars and reduce food insecurity for 45 million people. Moreover, reducing gender disparities in employment, education, and income could eliminate 52 per cent of the food insecurity gap, which consistently affects women more than men.
Empowering rural women through targeted development interventions could increase incomes for 58 million additional people and strengthen the resilience of 235 million people.
Siamo anche su WhatsApp. Segui il canale ufficiale LifeGate per restare aggiornata, aggiornato sulle ultime notizie e sulle nostre attività.
Quest'opera è distribuita con Licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione - Non commerciale - Non opere derivate 4.0 Internazionale.
L'autenticità di questa notizia è certificata in blockchain. Scopri di più
With the approval of the soil directive by the European Parliament, member states have three years to establish monitoring systems and promote solutions for sustainable soil management.
Oilseeds such as walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds have been linked in an Australian study to benefits for longevity, memory, and joint mobility.
Together with Made in Nature, we explored at the Macfrut fair in Rimini, the Italian organic fruit and vegetable market and its key players.
Sponsored article
Made in Nature is a project funded by the European Union and Cso Italy to promote the benefits of organic food consumption for our health and that of the environment.
Sponsored article
On the hills of Minabe and Tanabe ume fruit has been cultivated alongside oak forests and honeybees for centuries using a method now recognised by the FAO.
The revival of millet farming has been tackling malnutrition and improving the livelihoods of Kutia Kondh tribespeople in Odisha state, in eastern India.
The same tycoons who created factory farms are the ones investing in fake meat. But “real” food can’t be created in laboratories: regenerative agriculture is the only way.
Through the Moments Not To Be Wasted educational project and the Talent Kitchen contest, Whirlpool teaches schoolchildren about food waste in a rewarding and inclusive way.