Women often those who drive innovation on farms, despite lack of recognition

When it comes to farm diversification and innovation, it is “often women who drive it"

Paula Hynes, Cork dairy farmer said if you want to be a farmer, "don't ever let anyone stop you". Picture: Clare Keogh

Central Statistics Office figures show that the percentage of female farm holders has increased by only 1% since 2010 with 18,101 - or 13.4% - female farm holders in 2020.

However, as International Women’s Day approaches on March 8, Maura Farrell, senior lecturer in the School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies at NUI Galway, told the Irish Examiner that when you further break down the figures of female farm holders, there are fewer “actively engaged or working in farming”.