The FEMM Committee of the European Committee is holding its 2nd "European Gender Equality Week".

SmartAgriHubs is actively supporting this week-long campaign, by highlighting the experiences of women in agriculture, agritech and agrifood. 

Today a young Italian farmer, Martina Vicini, shares her testimonial. 

 

Can you tell us more about yourself? 

I am Martina Vicini and I am 26 years old, I manage a dairy cattle farm with my mother. I graduated 5 years ago and now I have a few exams left to become an agronomist at the State University of Milan.

 

What is your experience working as a woman in the agricultural sector? 

I started working on the farm with my mom when my dad passed away, it was really difficult. My colleagues were almost all men who did not give us any advice. They were wary: "impossible that two women can do it!". But we proved them wrong. 

 

"When I started working on the farm with my mothger when my dad passed away, it was really difficult.  My colleagues were almost all men who did not give us any advice. They were wary: "impossible that two women can do it!". But we proved them wrong."

 

What is your relation to technology? 

The love for our animals and our personal perspective made us see what they did not see. Women might not have the physical strength for some tasks, but thanks to technology we can find a different way to complete them. In my case, the milking robot allowed me to work alone on the farm when my mom got sick.

Thanks to technology, I can keep in touch with the ongoing activities on my farm, even when I am far away, by using an app.

 

What would be your message to farm cooperatives, farmers organisations and to other young women who might want to pursue this career? 

Agricultural organizations have increased the representation of women in councils, they have created groups where we women can meet and create channels of solidarity.

I advise girls who want to do this job to believe in themselves because if they have the passion they can go anywhere.