Scottish and Irish governments seek to improve policy for women in agriculture

Sally Shortall is working with the Irish and Scottish governments to share best practice on women in agriculture policy.

The first visit took us to the West of Ireland, where 60 women farmers are collaborating with engineers to redesign farm equipment, so it actually fits a woman’s frame — from tractors to PPE to the weight of fertiliser bags.

On the tour, we saw how everyday tools simply aren’t built for women. One farmer nearly fell into an animal‑feed holder while showing how impossible it is to clean. Their workaround — tipping a wheely bin on its side — shows both ingenuity and the urgent need for proper design. They also highlighted the value of child‑safe play areas and gates that move on wheels rather than strength.

After homemade vanilla scones and coffee, we travelled to meet the Irish farm ambassador. En route, Sally briefly stopped at her uncle’s wake in Roscommon, giving a Scottish policy maker an unexpected glimpse of rural community life: farmers directing parking, women preparing food for hundreds, and neighbours queuing to pay respects. A powerful reminder of the cohesion that sustains rural areas.

This is the UN Year of the Woman Farmer, and these visits show why it matters. Women are already creating safer, smarter ways to work. Now, agricultural engineers and policymakers need to back them.