Rooting Agricultural Research
Agricultural research institutions and global development organisations marked International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 by calling for a rights-based approach to agricultural research and development, emphasizing that women farmers must be recognized not only as beneficiaries but as key decision-makers in global food systems.
The theme for IWD 2026, “Rights, Justice, Action for All Women and Girls,” aligns with global efforts to address structural inequalities faced by women in agriculture and is being observed alongside the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026. Experts say that rooting Agricultural Research for Development (AR4D) in rights frameworks can help tackle persistent gender gaps in land ownership, access to technology, finance, and leadership roles in agricultural institutions.
Researchers and development agencies highlighted that despite women playing a central role in agrifood systems, their contributions often remain under-recognised due to limited land rights, restricted mobility, and unequal access to agricultural services. A rights-based approach to research, they argue, would ensure that policies, technologies, and funding decisions address these systemic barriers rather than merely improving productivity outcomes.
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Key proposals discussed include reforming land policies to secure women’s land rights, investing in community care infrastructure to reduce unpaid labour burdens, and directing greater funding to women-led organisations working in food systems. Experts also stressed the importance of gender-transformative data practices, urging researchers to collect and analyse agricultural data by gender, age, and social group to better reflect women’s contributions and challenges.
International agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP) also highlighted that empowering women farmers improves food security, boosts rural incomes, and strengthens climate resilience.
As global discussions continue, stakeholders emphasized that agricultural innovation must go beyond technology and productivity, placing justice, equality, and women’s rights at the heart of sustainable food systems.
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