Women Farmers to Take Global Spotlight in FAO’s International Year 2026

The Unite Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF 2026).

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is leading the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, a global initiative created to recognize the vital role women play across agrifood systems and to accelerate action toward gender equality in agriculture.

The observance was declared by the United Nations and aims to bring worldwide attention to the contributions of women who produce, process, trade and sustain food systems every day.

According to FAO, women farmers are central to food security, nutrition, economic resilience and rural development. Yet their work often remains undervalued, while many continue to face barriers such as limited access to land, finance, education, technology, markets and decision-making opportunities. The 2026 campaign seeks to turn awareness into practical reforms, investments and partnerships that improve livelihoods and create fairer opportunities.

The initiative uses an inclusive definition of “woman farmer,” covering women working across the full agrifood value chain.

This includes smallholders, producers, laborers, fishers, pastoralists, processors, traders, rural entrepreneurs, researchers and traditional knowledge holders, whether working formally or informally.

FAO emphasizes that empowering women farmers can strengthen communities, increase productivity, improve nutrition outcomes and build resilience to climate and economic shocks. Closing gender gaps in agrifood systems is also seen as a key step toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Throughout 2026, governments, institutions, civil society organizations, businesses and individuals are invited to participate through events, campaigns and policy initiatives that support women in agriculture.

FAO says the International Year is intended not only as a celebration, but as a platform for measurable and lasting change.

The European Commission has launched the Women in Farming Platform, which Agriventures already mentioned (https://agriventures.co/updates/european-commission-launches-the-women-in-farming-platform)

The role of Agriventures in supporting agrifood innovation

As the agritech startup ecosystem grows across Europe, initiatives such as Agriventures are helping connect entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, and policymakers working in agriculture and food innovation.

Agriventures focuses on supporting agrifood startups, biotechnology innovation, and access to European funding for agriculture, while also helping entrepreneurs navigate the complex landscape of startup financing, venture capital, and research commercialization.

By strengthening connections between startups, research institutions, investors, and farmers, Agriventures contributes to building a stronger agricultural innovation ecosystem that can accelerate the transition toward sustainable agriculture and resilient food systems.

Through knowledge sharing, events, and ecosystem building, Agriventures helps ensure that promising agritech innovations can scale and reach farmers, food producers, and global markets.