The Women in Agriculture Stakeholders Group (WASG) has welcomed the DAFM’s measures to support female participation in farming.
The group believe the following measures will “strengthen” family farms:
- 60% TAMS grant for women over forty;
- The option of female-only discussion groups under the Knowledge Transfer (KT) scheme.
Women in farming
WASG chair Hannah Quinn-Mulligan said:
“Various research, including the Department of Agriculture’s SWOT analysis, has shown that women are often the innovators on family farms.”
“Encouraging and incentivising them to become more engaged can only strengthen the family farm as it faces considerable future challenges.”
“The measures will help to support women improve the viability of their own farms and provide a financial boost for any farm considering a farm partnership.”
Both policies were part of the WASG’s submission to help improve support for women in farming.
Women over forty farming in their own right will have automatic access to the 60% TAMS grant. However, the model will require at least one farmer in the partnership to have a minimum level 6 in agriculture qualification.
Long-needed change
Quinn-Mulligan said the group was “very grateful” to Minister Charlie McConalogue and his team for recognising the need to support women through the CAP.
She said the group, made up of representatives from all the leading farm organisations, had put in a “tremendous” effort to improve inclusivity in Irish agriculture.
“This is the beginning of long-needed change within the sector,” she said.
“We continue to look forward to working with all stakeholders and the DAFM to ensure that the recognition of women in agriculture is drastically improved under the next CAP.”
“It remains our priority to push the number of female farmers from 12 to at least 25% under the next CAP cycle.”
“In addition, we need to start seeing women on more agricultural boards across the country,” she concluded.
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