International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026

The International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 is a global initiative led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to recognize and celebrate the vital role of women farmers in transforming agrifood systems and ensuring food security, nutrition, and sustainable rural development.

Women farmers are at the heart of agricultural production around the world. Beyond producing food, they create employment opportunities, strengthen rural economies, preserve natural resources, support household nutrition, and contribute significantly to the resilience of communities. Their knowledge, innovation, and leadership are essential for building more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable agrifood systems.

Despite their critical contributions, women continue to face significant barriers that limit their productivity and economic opportunities. Many have unequal access to land ownership, financial services, agricultural technologies, extension services, quality inputs, markets, education, and decision-making processes. Addressing these inequalities is essential to improving agricultural productivity, reducing poverty, strengthening climate resilience, and advancing gender equality.

The International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 serves as a global call to action for governments, development partners, the private sector, research institutions, civil society, and farming communities to recognize the contributions of women farmers and implement policies and investments that empower them. The initiative promotes equal access to productive resources, innovation, finance, training, leadership opportunities, and markets while encouraging greater recognition of women as key drivers of sustainable agriculture and rural transformation.

This resource provides information on the objectives of the International Year, highlights the importance of women farmers in global food systems, and showcases actions that individuals, organizations, and governments can take to support women in agriculture and accelerate progress towards resilient, inclusive, and sustainable food systems.