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Female farm holders make up just 12% of the 137,100 farms, according to the most recent statistics from the Central Statistics Office (CSO).
It marks a 1% decrease when compared to figures from the Department of Agriculture. The drop may seem marginal, but points to a larger issue highlighted in the Women and Agriculture conference, which pointed to a lack of female representation on farms.
In 2016, 265,400 people worked on farms, with just over 40% of labour provided by family members. Women made up over a quarter, or 71,700 of the number of people working on farms, yet only 16,000 women in Ireland are farm holders.
Female representation
The number of women in the position of county chair in the IFA has increased recently, and there has been a concerted push in the last number of years to increase female participation in Ireland.
Women in farming groups have been established in each province in Ireland, with a growing focus on developing female leadership on farms.
The Ceres Network, a women in agribusiness leadership network, has also been established with their upcoming conference on 29 May due titled: “The Challenges of Embracing Diversity & Effecting Change in Agri-Food".
Women and Ag: Should gender quotas be introduced in farm organisations?
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