Women in Farming Platform

Women play a crucial role in European agriculture, driving innovation, sustainability and diversification in rural economies. With less than one-third of farms managed by women (32%), women farmers remain under-represented as farm owners, managers and leaders.

To attract more women to farming and allow for exchange of experience, the European Commission outlined in its Vision for Agriculture and Food the creation of the Women in Farming Platform. Serving as a forum to discuss and exchange good practices, its members will be able to set change in motion to strengthen women's engagement and equal opportunities in agriculture.

The current common agricultural policy (CAP) explicitly promotes women’s participation in farming and in the rural economy. In their CAP Strategic Plans, EU countries have greater scope to introduce targeted measures including enhanced financial support for women farmers. 

The EU is strengthening women’s representation in leadership roles, for example in decision-making bodies within LEADER initiatives. In addition, the collection of gender-disaggregated data has been reinforced during the current programming period, as better data enables more effective evidence-based policymaking.  

In 2024 alone, 55,300 young women received support to set up their farming businesses and benefit from additional income support.

Platform Objectives:

• Facilitate mentoring initiatives: Develop networking opportunities and facilitate mentoring initiatives at the national and EU levels.
• Promote connection: Improve the situation of women farmers by establishing a dynamic EU-level network of women farmers that fosters connection, dialogue, and peer exchange.
• Encourage members to share experiences: Address common challenges, benefit from collective knowledge, and thereby strengthen their capacity to overcome obstacles and thrive in the agricultural sector.

The Platform's main activity will be mentoring. Its members are expected to establish a mentoring network that brings together experienced women farmers and those in the early stages of their careers.

Benefits of participating:

Being part of the Platform offers members the opportunity to connect with colleagues across the EU. This will allow them to share experiences, perspectives, and best practices in both national and cross-border contexts.

Mentoring activities will focus on practical and business topics tailored to the needs of women farmers, such as:

• Developing agricultural business plans, understanding farm operating costs, and time management.
• Navigating agricultural markets and economic dynamics, innovation, and technology.
• Expanding the agricultural business beyond food production.
• Marketing and promoting agricultural products, including through social media.
• Advice on support, care, family planning, relief services, retirement, and pensions, among other topics.

Target audience:

Membership in this platform is open to all individuals residing in the EU who work in agriculture or an agriculture-related field.

Deadline for completing the form: April 30, 2026.