Minister Heydon issues a call for entries to International Year of the Woman Farmer ambassador competition
- Foilsithe: 6 Feabhra 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 6 Feabhra 2026
Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon TD, is encouraging entries to a competition for a female farmer ambassador to represent Ireland during the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF). Launched by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the IYWF celebrates the pivotal roles played by women in sustaining agri-food systems aiming to increase recognition and promote actions to close gender gaps in agriculture and improve women’s livelihoods worldwide.
Speaking about the competition, Minister Heydon said:
“I strongly encourage women farmers across Ireland to apply to become our female farmer ambassador for 2026. The winner will have a unique opportunity to represent women working in Irish agriculture, promoting existing supports and initiatives while highlighting issues important to them. Over the years, I have seen first-hand the incredible work done by women to support our agri-food sector which makes me confident that we can expect a high calibre of entries to this competition.”
The competition is being run by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine following the declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) by the United Nations General Assembly. Applications are open until 12 February 2026 and can be submitted on the Department’s website. The winner will represent the Department throughout the year by participating in events, media opportunities, and social media campaigns to encourage female participation in farming and provide insight into life as a female farmer in Ireland, via their own lived experiences. The overall winner will be announced by Minister Heydon at a flagship IYWF event in Athlone, Co. Westmeath on 5 March 2026. Shortlisted candidates will also be invited to participate in the event, which coincides with International Women’s Day.
The Department of Agriculture is also currently running a photo competition under the IYWF banner, delivered in association with CAP Network Ireland, with the prizegiving for winners taking place at the event on 5 March. The competition seeks photo submissions from the public under the theme ‘Empowered women transforming agri-food systems’. There is a €200 prize for the winner of each of five categories, with the overall winning photo featuring on the next CAP Network Ireland Women in Agriculture booklet. Entry forms are available on the Department’s website and must be submitted by 3pm on Monday, 16 February 2026.
Following on from these initiatives, the Department will host information and networking events throughout the year, both nationally and internationally, to celebrate IYWF and highlight Ireland’s approach to improving gender equality in Irish agriculture.
Commenting on the IYWF, Minister Heydon added:
“Ireland’s co-sponsorship of the International Year of the Woman Farmer Official Launch Ceremony in December 2025, reinforces our commitment to recognising the vital role of women in all areas of agriculture. Despite their hard work and dedication, women continue to face barriers when accessing land, finance and training and this year provides us with an international platform to highlight the issue of gender equality in agri-food systems.”
“My Department is developing a programme of events for the IYWF to emphasise the importance of equal opportunities for women in farming and the wider agri-food sector in Ireland. This builds on the momentum created by the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture and aligns well with the implementation of our National Women in Agriculture Action Plan and will contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive sector for the future.”
More information on International Year of the Woman Farmer and the Department’s Women in Agriculture initiatives can be found on the Department’s website.