A preliminary findings report on women in agriculture is expected to be published in quarter two (Q2) 2024, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) has said.

The publication of the final report and policy proposals of the research project titled ‘HER-SELF’ will follow shortly thereafter, according to the DAFM.

The research project will establish a baseline position on women in agriculture and underpin future policy interventions and strategies in this area at national/local levels.

In September 2022, the DAFM launched an open call for several research projects, one of which focused on the visibility, equality and status of women in farming in Ireland.

HER-SELF (Highlighting pathways to Empower Rural women to have Sustainable and Equitable Livelihoods in Farming) was the successful proposal and commenced in May 2023.

Women in agriculture

HER-SELF is a collaborative, inter-disciplinary research project between Maynooth University (MU) Department of Geography, Munster Technological University (MTU), and Teagasc.

The project is run by principal investigator Dr. Martina Roche of MU, coordinator Dr. Mary Anne Hurley of MTU, and research collaborator Dr. Áine Macken-Walsh of Teagasc.

The project will provide insights into the lives of women in the agricultural sector of all ages, including an analysis of existing data on farm income, farm payments and capital investment.

The project will identify barriers and enabling factors throughout the career paths taken by women who train in the agricultural sector and the reasons for these choices.

It will further identify any geographical differences by region or county in the participation levels, incomes and experiences of women involved in agriculture.

Existing datasets (e.g., Census of Agriculture 2020, National Farm Survey) will be reviewed and augmented with the voice of women in agriculture through interviews and key focus groups.

Irish data from the census shows that women are underrepresented as farm holders and farm workers, and many women working in agriculture are undocumented, MU said.

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Preliminary findings report on women in agriculture due in Q2 2024