--- title: "Women make up nearly half of agricultural workforce in developing countries" url: https://newscentral.site/women-make-up-nearly-half-of-agricultural-workforce-in-developing/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Style" published: 2026-11-08T15:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-11-08T18:53:59.436Z id: 5771eebe-0e54-403b-a632-a985c14f82f2 source: "Vogue https://www.vogue.com/article/visit-with-six-women-farmers-across-the-americas-lys-arango" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/women-make-up-nearly-half-of-agricultural-workforce-in-developing/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Women make up nearly half of agricultural workforce in developing countries The trend highlights women's critical role in farming while facing exclusion from key aspects such as land ownership and decision-making. Women make up nearly half of the agricultural workforce in developing countries, yet they hold less than one-fifth of the world's agricultural land. The trend is particularly striking given the growing importance of agriculture in global food systems, as concerns over climate volatility and food security continue to dominate public discourse. The United Nations has recently designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer, highlighting the critical role women play in farming while often facing exclusion from key aspects such as land ownership, financing, and decision-making. In an effort to shed light on this crucial aspect of global agriculture, a recent two-year journey took place, during which time the author spent two weeks living with each of six remarkable women farmers across different regions. The diverse group includes María Espinoza, who cultivates chemical-free produce in the Galápagos Islands. Aurelia Beb Tec from Guatemala is another notable figure, whose community has been working to reclaim land through a reparations process following decades of dispossession and war. In Honduras, Milexy Rodríguez's farm was severely impacted by a prolonged drought that dried up her lagoon, resulting in the loss of 15 cows over a period of just 40 days. To rebuild and adapt to the changing climate, Rodríguez took bold action by drilling a well and diversifying her crops. The photographs taken at these farms reveal the daily rhythms of life for these women farmers, who are constantly navigating challenges that affect their livelihoods. Despite these obstacles, they have also built remarkable structures to support each other's endeavors. This includes cooperatives, savings groups, and even a coffee brand owned by the community. In Ecuador's Galápagos Islands, María Espinoza has made significant strides in rebuilding her farm on San Cristóbal Island. The highlands where she resides are prone to water scarcity, with fresh water dependent on El Junco lagoon. To mitigate this issue and protect her crops from pests, Espinoza relies on her own resourcefulness. She lives alone but finds solace in the rhythms of her daily routine, which is dictated by the needs of her farm. With limited access to external resources, Espinoza has developed innovative solutions such as making her own organic fertilizers and training in sustainable farming practices that exclude pesticides. In Mexico's coffee-producing region of Chiapas, women like Yumara are making significant strides in the industry. She is one of the few women who have secured land rights through the ejido system, which accounts for about a quarter of all land held by women in Mexico. Despite facing challenges such as machismo and limited access to resources, Yumara has taken on leadership roles within her cooperative, including serving as secretary. Her work with Café 89, a coffee brand created to showcase the contributions of women producers, is helping to bring attention to their efforts. In neighboring Guatemala, Aurelia Beb Tec Pinares is another example of a woman making a lasting impact in the region. She grows cacao on five manzanas of land in Alta Verapaz, where she lives with her daughters. Every week, they walk the slopes together to pick ripe pods and sell them to the local association. Aurelia's dedication to sustainable practices is evident in every step of her process, from planting the trees herself to roasting and grinding the beans on traditional equipment at home. Her daughters are learning valuable skills as they help with the harvest and production of artisanal hot chocolate and bars made with cardamom and milk. The history of the Q'eqchi' people in Pinares is marked by decades of dispossession and forced servitude at the hands of landowners. This was followed by repression and civil war, a period from which they are still recovering. However, with the signing of peace accords, a reparations program was put in place to restore land, seeds, and support to the community. Cacao proved to be a highly successful crop for the Q'eqchi', allowing them to establish a sustainable income through fair trade and organic production. In 2014, the community founded APIDIP (Asociación del Pueblo Indígena para el Desarrollo Integral Productivo de la Aldea Pinares), which has since grown to include 156 members. In Haiti, Lucianie Vil is a Madan Sara, one of the women traders who travel extensively throughout the country to support their families and communities. Based in Ma Rouge, a small village in southeastern Haiti's mountains, she travels on Wednesdays to her plot in Thiotte, where she harvests pineapples, oranges, passion fruit, and coffee with her family. The rural trade in Haiti faces significant challenges, including food insecurity that affects over half of the population. The threat of drought and violence has led to increasingly precarious routes for traders like Lucianie Vil, making every trip a challenge. In Arkansas, Samantha Noble is leading the charge on regenerative livestock farming at Heifer Ranch. She oversees poultry production, but her role extends beyond daily operations as she works to improve efficiency and work-life balance for other farmers. Heifer Ranch serves as a living laboratory where experts research and demonstrate planned grazing, holistic management, and animal health practices. Milexy Rodríguez is another example of a woman breaking ground in agriculture. In recent years, Milexy Rodríguez built up her cattle farm in Honduras to support her family's livelihood. However, when the lagoon that supplied water to her herd dried up in 2023, she faced a significant loss of 15 cows within just 40 days. To mitigate this risk and diversify her income streams, Rodríguez drilled a well on her property and started cultivating chili peppers while also maintaining a small apiary with her daughter's help. The region is currently experiencing a severe water shortage, affecting cattle farmers in Yoro. This has resulted in a significant drop in the amount of milk reaching collection centers for processing. Women living in rural areas often struggle to access credit and essential resources due to various barriers. As a community leader and trainer within her savings group, Rodríguez shares her knowledge with others, providing valuable support and expertise. --- Source: [Vogue](https://www.vogue.com/article/visit-with-six-women-farmers-across-the-americas-lys-arango) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/women-make-up-nearly-half-of-agricultural-workforce-in-developing/