If agribusiness is pop, where are the women?

Today, July twenty-eighth, marks Farmers' Day (in Brazil). When we think of this date, the classic image that usually comes to mind is that of a man in the field. But the reality inside the farm gate has changed radically, and the revolution in the countryside has a name, a face, and a lot of female strength.

Agribusiness is not just an economic giant that accounts for nearly half of everything Brazil sells to the world and puts food on our tables every day. Today, it is one of the most modern, dynamic sectors full of opportunities for women who want to build a career of impact.

Why does Agribusiness matter to everyone?

Even if you live in a big city and have never set foot on a farm, agribusiness directly impacts your life and your wallet. It acts as Brazil's invisible engine, sustaining the economy and ensuring our daily well-being.

First, your table is always stocked. It is thanks to hard work in the countryside, driven by everything from large-scale agricultural production to family farming, that we have fresh, varied, and affordable food in markets and open-air fairs across all regions of the country every day.

Second, forget the old, outdated image that the countryside relies solely on rudimentary manual labor. Today, Brazilian agribusiness is a hub of cutting-edge technology, globally known as Agrotech. The sector uses drones, artificial intelligence, satellite mapping, autonomous tractors, and advanced biotechnology to produce more food, with greater efficiency and growing respect for the environment.

Third, the sector accounts for about twenty-five percent of all wealth generated in the country and is primarily responsible for keeping our trade balance stable, ensuring that Brazil stands out as a global powerhouse.

The Female Revolution: Where are the women?

Women already occupy thirty-four percent of leadership and management positions in Brazilian agribusiness, and this number keeps growing. Female participation has profoundly transformed the dynamics of farms, cooperatives, and companies in the sector with a unique and innovative strategic vision.

• In management and organization: Women demonstrate heightened attention to precise financial controls, rigorous sanitary calendars, and strategic crop planning, ensuring the financial health of rural businesses.

• In sustainability: They lead efficient agricultural practices that preserve the soil, protect water resources, and combine high productivity with long-term environmental responsibility.

• In science and the field: There is an increasingly strong presence of brilliant women revolutionizing scientific research, veterinary medicine, agronomy, and land-applied technology.

Of course, the journey still presents considerable challenges, such as cultural barriers in a historically male-dominated environment, alongside greater difficulties in accessing financing and modern management tools compared to men. However, competence and resilience have irreversibly opened doors.

Movements that are changing the game

To give voice, visibility, and a platform to this immense power, the female movement in agriculture has gained robust structures of great national and international relevance.

The National Congress of Women in Agribusiness is considered the largest event for female leadership in agriculture in the world. Held annually in São Paulo, it brings together thousands of female producers, scientists, executives, and business leaders to discuss technological innovation, the green transition, food security, and the strategic future of the sector.

The Women in Agribusiness Award, created by the Brazilian Agribusiness Association in partnership with Bayer, is another highlight. This initiative celebrates and gives visibility to inspiring stories of women who transform small, medium, and large properties into benchmarks of efficiency, governance, and social responsibility.

On this Farmers' Day, it is worth deep reflection: Brazilian agribusiness is pop culture, highly technological, absolutely essential for our collective survival, and increasingly features a female voice, talent, and leadership shaping the country's future.