The European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) were designed to support agri-environmental schemes (AES) to mitigate climate change effects and promote sustainable agriculture. However, this article notes that little attention has been given to the impact of these subsidies on gender equality. It points to a recent study by HUN-REN KRTK in Slovenia and Hungary, which clearly indicates that agricultural farms managed by women are more environmentally conscious than those led by men—both in terms of adopting agri-environmental measures and the intensity of their application.
Their research reveals that female farmers in both countries are highly committed to sustainable farming practices often prioritizing diversification, organic farming, and the long-term sustainable management of resources—all of which align closely with the objectives of agri-environmental schemes (AES).
Women face systemic inequalities that limit their ability to implement these practices on a larger scale, which limits opportunities for climate change resilience, highlighting the need for gender-specific policies and support mechanisms such as financial incentives are designed to support women-led farms, and rewarding practices like organic farming, agroforestry, and green business diversification.
Source ▼
Research reveals why women-led farms are more sustainable
Despite women being more environmentally conscious in farming than men, they continuously face barriers. This gender inequality was highlighted by a researcher from the HUN-REN Centre for Economic and Regional Studies (HUN-REN KRTK) through examples from Slovenia and Hungary. The researchers also provide insights into the measures that could help reduce the gender gap in agriculture.
