THEMATIC AREA 3
Despite their critical role in food production, women farmers continue to face systematic barriers that limit their productivity, reinforcing broader economic inequalities in agrifood systems. FAO’s research shows that women produce 24 percent less than men on farms of the same size, not because they are less skilled or efficient, but because they lack equal access to essential resources and services such as land, high-quality seeds, credit, irrigation and agricultural extension. These constraints reduce their ability to increase yields, adopt climate-resilient techniques and expand into more profitable markets. Closing the productivity gap is essential not only for gender equality but also for food security and economic growth, as evidence suggests that eliminating these disparities could increase global agricultural output significantly.9
One of the main drivers of this productivity gap is women’s limited and unsecure access to land and tenure rights, which prevents them from making long-term investments in soil health, irrigation, and sustainable farming methods. There is considerable evidence suggesting that improving women’s access to land improves food security, natural resource management, empowerment, decision-making authority, and resilience, while also reducing gender-based violence.10
Additionally, persistent gaps in women’s access to financial, credit and insurance services leave them with lower-quality inputs and fewer risk-mitigation options in the event of climate shocks or economic downturns.11 Extension services and training programmes are also disproportionately geared towards men, further excluding women from technical advances that could improve their efficiency and competitiveness. But when women are provided training and extension services, there are numerous positive outcomes: in Uganda, for example, including women model farmers in training and videos improved food security, increased adoption of new maize seeds, and helped bring about a shift in norms.12
“Rural women are at the heart of agricultural production in Ecuador. It is important to recognize their effort and the challenges they face in order to reduce the gender gap, which demands a commitment from the State through transformative actions for gender equality.”H.E. Danilo Palacios
Minister for Agriculture and Livestock, Republic of Ecuador
High-level CGE event, New York, 24 September 2024 (video message)
The CGE initiative aims to address these structural barriers by promoting gender-responsive policies that enhance women’s access to land, finance, technology and market opportunities. Inclusive land tenure and development policies that actively strive to change structural gender inequalities, include women in policy fora and provide equal access to assets and resources, have the true potential to lead to more sustainable and resilient food systems and foster food security for all. 13
By committing to this thematic area, CGE partners contribute to more equitable, resilient and efficient agrifood systems, where women can fully realize their economic potential and drive transformative change in food production and in food security and nutrition.
For bilateral development agencies, foundations, multilaterals, non-governmental organizations
For Members, producer organizations, local authorities, etc.
For businesses
Required citation:
FAO. 2025. Commit to Grow Equality: investing in the future of women in agrifood systems – Progress report 2025. Rome. https://doi.org/10.4060/cd4123en
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