A senator has called for the immediate implementation of the National Women in Agriculture Action Plan in full to "recognise the role of women in farming".

Senator Victor Boyhan raised the issue in the Seanad outlining the context that the United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

"That is a very significant designation and we have been talking about it at the agriculture committee for the last 12 months," Seantor Boyhan said.

"It is a global initiative that aims to increase awareness of the crucial role women play in the agri-food system and more specifically in food security, nutrition and poverty eradication."

He tabled a motion in the Seanad seeking to focus on the promotion of the role of women in rural development, farming and food production.

"From small horticulturists to beef, pork and sheep farmers and producers of milk, cheeses and yoghurt, all are committed to producing and selling healthy, nutrient-dense food grown in harmony with our environment," the senator added.

"Farm succession is perhaps one of the biggest issues when it comes to women entering agriculture, or certainly one of the biggest issues when it comes to access to the farm.

"Farm succession planning is critical for the transfer of the family farm.

"Transfer of ownership of the farm is about more than land, as the minister well knows. It is also about transferring skills, knowledge and labour to ensure the continuation of the agricultural enterprise," Boyhan said.

Challenges to farm succession for women

Senator Boyhan stressed that there are many tax liability challenges which the government needs to address.

He said the challenges must be addressed to allow the transfer of the family farm to be fair and successful.

In an effort to do so, the senator stressed that data needs to be gathered on on-farm and off-farm work as well as care work.

He said further data needs to be analysed on how farm labour is organised on farms, including the hours worked and the types of activities carried out, such as book-keeping or admin.

"On acquisition of land and succession, one of the biggest barriers to working as a primary producer is a lack of access to land whether one is male or female," Senator Boyhan said.

"Where there is an identified successor, a significant majority - over 80% - of those identified as successors are male."

The senator told the Seanad that he believes the mindset of only having a "son as heir" can potentially lead to problems, especially if the chosen son has little interest in farming.

"The land deserves the child who has the greater interest in farming it. It is of course a lifestyle choice and a choice for all involved," he continued.

The Seanad heard that supporting women who want to pursue careers in farming is "critical" to the sustainability of farming and rural communities.

Senator Boyhan added that he would like to see a module on the Green Cert included in the Leaving Certificate Agricultural Science course.

Seanad

The senator continued: "Advancing gender equality is crucial to the sustainability and success of the agriculture sector.

"The Report of the Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming, which the minister published in 2025, identified 31 barriers to generational renewal and specifically noted the importance of improving gender balance.

"This now provides a clear roadmap of progress for many of the matters that I have raised," he said.