The appeal was made during a global virtual event organized by Heifer International and its partners to commemorate the United Nations-recognized International Year of the Woman Farmer. The event brought women farmers together with global decision-makers and development stakeholders, creating a platform to highlight the challenges that continue to limit their contribution to food systems.

Participants stressed that although women play a critical role in producing food and sustaining rural livelihoods, structural barriers continue to restrict their access to land, finance, inputs, and market opportunities. They urged governments, funding agencies and institutions to address these long-standing inequalities in order to strengthen agricultural productivity and food security.

Women farmers contribute a substantial portion of the world's food production, in some countries accounting for up to 80 percent of national food supplies. However, limited access to productive resources often puts them at a disadvantage in expanding their farms and competing effectively in markets.

As a result, farms managed by women are on average about 25 percent less productive than those operated by men. Experts note that if women farmers had equal access to agricultural resources, farm productivity could rise by up to 30 percent - potentially providing food for an additional 100 to 150 million people worldwide.

Among the participants was Josselyn Vega, an Indigenous Kichwa Panzaleo farmer from Ecuador known for her work in gender equality, climate adaptation, agroecology, nutrition and rural entrepreneurship. The former president of the Association of Agroecological Producers of Cotopaxi highlighted the leadership role women already play in agriculture.

"Women farmers are protecting biodiversity, strengthening local markets and feeding vulnerable communities around the world - despite the barriers we face. Imagine what we could achieve if we had the same access to land, finance and decision-making power as men," she said.

Julian Nafula Simiyu, a poultry farmer and community leader from Bungoma County in Kenya, also shared her experience. She runs an enterprise focused on indigenous poultry breeds and chairs a rural savings and credit cooperative that supports farmers and youth entrepreneurs with financial services.

She emphasized that women-led agricultural enterprises have enormous potential for rural economic growth. "When women farmers succeed, young people - especially young girls - see agriculture as an entrepreneurial opportunity, not a hardship. Therefore, investment in women-led agribusiness is an untapped investment in the next generation of rural entrepreneurs," Simiyu said.

The event also enabled direct engagement between farmers and development organizations working on agricultural research and rural development. Representatives from CGIAR's Gender Impact Platform and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) joined the discussion, sharing perspectives on advancing inclusive agricultural development and sustainable land use.

During the discussions, farmers called for greater representation in the policy and investment decisions that shape rural economies. They noted that women farmers are already managing businesses, leading producer groups and running financial cooperatives, but sustained investment in their leadership and capacity is necessary to build resilient and inclusive food systems.

Surita Sandosham, President and CEO of Heifer International, stressed the importance of translating recognition into concrete support. "Women farmers are already leading change in their communities, but they need more than recognition alone. To succeed, they need equal access to the resources, opportunities and decision-making power," she said. "If we are serious about ending hunger and building sustainable food systems, then listening to women farmers, and acting on what they say, is essential."

The International Year of the Woman Farmer, recognized by the United Nations and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), highlights the crucial role women play in agriculture while drawing attention to the barriers that limit their productivity and leadership.

To mark the year, Heifer International has launched a campaign titled "She Has a Story to Tell." The initiative aims to amplify the voices and experiences of smallholder women farmers and bring global attention to their role in improving food security.

Heifer International also shared examples demonstrating the impact of investing in women farmers. In Rwanda, livestock programs led by women have helped double milk production. In Bangladesh, more than 5,600 women have been trained in climate-smart agriculture and now use solar-powered irrigation systems, reducing carbon emissions by nearly 33,000 liters of CO2 every month. Meanwhile, in Mexico, women involved in an egg production cooperative have increased their share of household income by an average of 12 percent and improved their participation in farm financial decisions from 66 percent to full participation.

The event marked an important step in the broader global effort to elevate the leadership, experiences and priorities of women farmers during the International Year of the Woman Farmer. Insights and recommendations emerging from the discussions will contribute to ongoing engagement with policymakers, investors and development organizations.

Heifer International plans to continue similar activities throughout the year, focusing on amplifying women farmers' voices and encouraging action that strengthens inclusive and sustainable food systems worldwide.

From Rust Threat to Wheat Expansion in Ethiopia

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