Longford Farming: Advancing the role of women in agriculture is a 'key priority'
Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon has launched the Gender Inclusive Communication Guide for the Agriculture sector.
A new guide to help promote the use of more inclusive language in the the farm sector for women has been launched by Agriculture Minister Martin Heydon.
The Fine Gael politician opened the Tullamore Show, at Butterfield Estate, Blueball, county Offaly on Sunday.
This annual event, which is celebrating 35 years of agricultural excellence, has a special focus on generational renewal and farm succession.
To coincide with the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 Minister Heydon launched the Gender Inclusive Communication Guide for the Agriculture sector.
The guide, produced as part of the Women in Agriculture Action Plan, seeks to promote the use of more inclusive language and imagery in agricultural communications.
The guide has been designed to assist stakeholders to be more gender balanced and inclusive in their communications.
Minister Heydon said, “Advancing the role of women in agriculture is a key priority for me and is a commitment in the Programme for Government.
"Women are central to the continued success of Irish agriculture, and their contribution deserves to be recognised and placed on an equal footing with that of male farmers."
Minister Heydon said that "balanced communications ensure that modern Irish farming is represented accurately, inclusively and fairly" and that is an important element..
"By writing about and depicting images of men and women farmers, foresters and fishers, we can help break down stereotypes, encourage greater participation and support a stronger, more representative future for Irish farming.
"I encourage all stakeholders to embrace more gender-balanced and inclusive communications and imagery to reflect those working in Irish agriculture and to create a more inclusive sector for all.”
Minister Heydon recognised the significant, but often unrecognised, contribution women make to Ireland’s agri- food sector.
The CSO’s Farm Structure Survey 2023 showed women account for some 13.2% of the 133,174 farm holders in Ireland and circa 34% of the 299,725 total farm workers.
The under-representation of women poses a challenge to achieving gender equality in the sector.
The Minister reaffirmed his commitment to supporting their participation and leadership:
"Advancing the role of women in agriculture is a key priority for me and is a commitment in the Programme for Government. Women are central to the continued success of Irish agriculture, and their contribution deserves to be recognised and placed on an equal footing with that of male farmers.
"Gender balanced communications ensure that modern Irish farming is represented accurately, inclusively and fairly.
"By writing about and depicting images of men and women farmers, foresters and fishers, we can help break down stereotypes, encourage greater participation and support a stronger, more representative future for Irish farming.
"I encourage all stakeholders to embrace more gender-balanced and inclusive communications and imagery to reflect those working in Irish agriculture and to create a more inclusive sector for all.”