International Women’s Day 2026: Empowering the Women Farmers Cultivating Europe’s Agrifood Systems
.jpg?sfvrsn=5fc43ac5_1 "International Women’s Day 2026: Empowering the Women Farmers Cultivating Europe’s Agrifood Systems")
©D&V Plant Production
International Women’s Day, celebrated each year on 8 March, honors women’s leadership, resilience and everyday contributions to our societies.
Celebrating this day in 2026, the International Year of the Woman Farmer, carries an even greater significance, as an occasion to recognize the women who cultivate the land, sustain rural communities and help build more inclusive, resilient, efficient and sustainable agrifood systems.
Across Europe and beyond, women farmers are at the heart of agricultural life. They manage farms, care for landscapes, pass down knowledge, and bring fresh ideas to the fields and communities they serve. Yet, despite their vital contributions, their work too often remains unseen.
To bring their stories to light, the FAO Liaison Office in Brussels shines a spotlight on these women through their own voices. The personal testimonies below, from women farmers in Austria, Belgium, and Poland, share their daily realities, challenges and motivations. These stories highlight the diversity, dedication, leadership and resilience of women shaping the future of European agriculture and inspire a new generation of farmers.
Meet Irene Neumann-Hartberger from Austria
Irene Neumann-Hartberger is a member of the Austrian National Council and a representative of Austrian Women Farmers. Her path reflects both public service and deep roots in Austria’s rural communities, as she is also a farmer herself. For many years, she has been committed to amplifying the voices of women in agriculture, working closely with farmers and rural organizations across the country.
In this short video, she speaks about the realities women farmers face today in Austria’s agrifood systems. She reflects on the challenges she has encountered, but also on the determination, knowledge and passion that women farmers bring to their work. Her message is clear: women are not only part of Austria’s agricultural landscape today, but they are also helping shape its future.
Meet Sarah Descamps from Belgium
Recognized for her innovative approach to sustainable plant production and water management, Sarah Descamps is part of a new generation of agricultural leaders in Belgium. She embodies women’s leadership, forward-thinking innovation, and the continuation of the legacy built by her family.
Sarah recently took over the management of D&V Plant Production. Together with her husband, Matthias, she leads the company’s work in producing high-quality shrubs, herbs, and small fruit plants for wholesalers and garden centers.
© D&V Plant Production Sarah, beyond being a farmer, what does it mean to carry forward a family's legacy in agriculture, both professionally and personally?
Sarah Descamps: “I truly enjoy the seasonal variety in our work, as well as the combination of office responsibilities and hands-on tasks. Carrying forward our family business means a great deal to me. I was raised in a greenhouse between flowers and plants. It was my playground as a child. So, I am very proud that we can continue to build a sustainable and innovative company.
What specific challenges or opportunities have you encountered as a woman leading a farm in Belgium? How have these experiences shaped your leadership, decision-making, and approach to innovation?
Sarah Descamps: “To prepare for the challenges of climate change, we have made strategic investments in water management and optimization. Our goal was clear: to collect every drop of water that reaches our company and use it as efficiently as possible.
Rainwater that falls on the plants is collected in water basins and reused for irrigation. Water that falls on the roofs of the greenhouses is redirected back into the soil to replenish the groundwater.
We also installed a horticultural computer system to collect and analyze detailed data about our water usage. In the final phase of this project, we constructed two additional water basins, each with a capacity of 10 million liters. Today, we can store up to 24 million liters of water, which covers our annual water needs.
These investments have strengthened my belief in data-driven decision-making and long-term sustainability as key pillars of leadership.”
.jpg?sfvrsn=8ab161d7_1 "dvplantproductions_05112025_066 (1)")
© D&V Plant Production
What kind of future do you hope for women in agriculture and for the next generation of farmers?
Sarah Descamps: “I hope that governments continue to stimulate and encourage sustainable farming practices, ensuring that there will be many future generations of farmers. Agriculture must remain both economically viable and environmentally responsible to attract young people to the sector.”
If you could share one message with young women farmers on International Women’s Day, 8 March, what would it be?
Sarah Descamps: “Women can be excellent farmers. In many cases, women are the end consumers of our products, which gives female farmers valuable insight into what customers truly want.
Believe in your knowledge, your instincts, and your ability to innovate. Agriculture needs strong and passionate women.
© D&V Plant Production
Meet women farmers from Poland
Four women farmers from Poland’s Kujawsko-Pomorskie region share their stories from the field. Małgorzata Smoczyńska, Paulina Staszewska, Daria Rybacka and Agnieszka Kopczyńska each bring their own experience of farming in different parts of the region, offering a glimpse into the everyday life of women working in agriculture.
In their testimonies, they speak about the realities behind the work: long days in the fields, the challenge of balancing life as farmers, mothers and partners, and the responsibility of sustaining family farms. At the same time, they highlight the creativity and innovation that women bring to agriculture, finding new ways to manage their farms, adapt to changing conditions and create opportunities for the next generation.