International Day of Rural Women: Innovation, technology, and female talent to transform the countryside

Every October 15th , International Day of Rural Women reminds us of the essential role women play in the sustainability, economy, and innovation of rural areas. In Spain, more and more women are leading or actively participating in projects that drive the digitalization and modernization of the agri-food sector , opening up new employment opportunities and establishing a stable population in the region.

Technology is changing the face of the countryside: today, agriculture and livestock farming depend not only on physical effort, but also on data, drones, artificial intelligence, and smart sensors . This new paradigm is attracting young people and rural women who see innovation as a way to enter the sector with better conditions, greater autonomy, and new opportunities for professional development.

An example of this are several Operational Groups currently working on projects that combine science, sustainability, and equal opportunities.

• The CONTROL Operational Group applies artificial intelligence to optimize solar irrigation based on weather conditions, crop development, and water and energy availability. This digitalization achieves more efficient use of resources, reduces manual labor, and promotes a more technical and attractive agriculture for new generations.
• SECUESVAC focuses its work on cattle ranching and carbon sequestration in agricultural soils , developing digital tools that allow farmers to measure and improve their farms' carbon retention capacity. This line of innovation combines sustainability and training, with an inclusive approach that promotes professionalization and the participation of women in sustainable livestock farming.
• In the olive grove sector, the HIDROLIVAR Operational Group is committed to the digitalization of traditional Andalusian olive groves , applying ICT to improve water efficiency, protect the soil, and promote collaborative actions among farmers. Collective practices, such as the creation of albarradas (walled walls) or hedgerows, not only preserve the landscape but also strengthen cooperative networks where rural women play a key role as a social and economic driver.
• In the agri-food sector, ARISTEO and LACTOVALOR are promoting the modernization of artisanal cheese factories . ARISTEO develops digital tools and virtual assistants that improve the traceability and management of small cheese factories, creating stable female employment in rural areas of Andalusia. LACTOVALOR, for its part, is researching new technologies to process whey and transform it into innovative and sustainable products, strengthening the local productive fabric and the circular economy.
• ENCINA-SMS , in Sierra Morena, explores remote management of pastures using IoT systems for monitoring livestock, water resources, and animal welfare, facilitating daily tasks and making rural life more attractive.
• And in the almond sector, AL-AQUA applies biotechnology and artificial intelligence to improve crop resilience to water stress in drylands, in addition to conducting demonstration visits led by rural women to highlight their role in agroecological innovation.

These projects, co-financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the EAFRD funds, demonstrate that agri-food innovation is also a tool for equality .

On this International Day of Rural Women, we celebrate all the women who, from science, business, and agricultural consulting, are redefining the future of Spanish rural areas : more digital, more sustainable, and, above all, more inclusive.