Arabfields, Cherifa Brahmi, Correspondent, Seoul, South Korea — Women working in agriculture, environmental conservation and rural entrepreneurship across Asia have been recognised by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for their contributions to food security and sustainable development, highlighting the growing importance of women-led initiatives in rural economies.

The recognition forms part of the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development initiative, launched during the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The organisation received 609 nominations from 131 member countries before selecting the final group of 100 women, whose work spans farming, scientific innovation, environmental protection and community development.

Among those honoured is Yin Yuzhen of China, whose decades of tree planting have helped restore nearly 5,000 hectares of land threatened by desertification in the Mu Us Sandy Land. The restoration effort has contributed to the planting of more than eight million trees, supporting the recovery of degraded landscapes and helping local communities maintain their livelihoods.

Elsewhere, women are developing agricultural businesses that combine traditional knowledge with new production methods. In India’s Mizoram state, farmer and entrepreneur ZT Lalrithangi has built an agricultural enterprise around strawberry cultivation, fish farming and poultry production. Her two-acre farm generates an estimated annual income of between 600,000 and one million Indian rupees, while providing opportunities for other farmers and young people.

In Bangladesh, Bilkis Khatun has developed a business producing onion seeds in a region vulnerable to drought. Through improved pollination techniques and farmer training, she has helped more than 100 women across five villages establish their own seed-production activities.

Her experience reflects a broader challenge facing rural communities, where access to suitable seeds, finance and agricultural training can determine whether small businesses remain viable as weather conditions become less predictable.

Women are also helping to protect natural resources while creating commercial opportunities. In Indonesia, Istiqamah works with a cooperative comprising 980 members managing more than 1,200 hectares of farmland. The cooperative promotes sustainable coffee production and agroforestry, an approach that combines agricultural activities with the preservation of trees and biodiversity.

In southern Vietnam, entrepreneur Lam Ngoc Bao Han has developed a production model combining prawns, crabs and fish farming with mangrove conservation. Her approach seeks to maintain local food production while protecting coastal ecosystems that provide habitats for wildlife and help shield communities from environmental pressures.

These initiatives demonstrate how sustainability can become part of a practical business strategy rather than simply an environmental objective. For rural producers, diversifying income, reducing waste and improving access to markets can help limit the financial risks associated with changing weather patterns and fluctuating agricultural prices.

Despite these achievements, significant inequalities remain. According to FAO data cited in its assessment, women account for 41% of the global workforce in agrifood systems, yet women farmers generally operate smaller plots than men. The agricultural productivity gap between men and women stands at 24%, while women in paid agricultural employment earn an average of 82 cents for every dollar earned by men.

These disparities can restrict women’s ability to invest in machinery, expand production or withstand a poor harvest. Limited land ownership and access to credit can also prevent otherwise successful agricultural businesses from growing beyond the local market.

For many women, the impact of agricultural entrepreneurship extends beyond income. In rural communities where employment opportunities are limited, locally based businesses can allow women to earn money without leaving their families or villages. They can also create jobs for younger generations and preserve traditional skills that might otherwise disappear.

The FAO’s recognition comes as governments and agricultural organisations face increasing pressure to strengthen food systems against climate change, land degradation and economic uncertainty. Women’s participation in farming and rural enterprise is likely to remain central to these efforts, particularly in regions where agriculture supports large parts of the population.

Looking ahead, expanding access to financing, technology, land rights and professional training could help more women turn small-scale initiatives into sustainable businesses. The experiences of the women recognised by the FAO suggest that locally developed solutions can support both environmental protection and economic opportunity when producers have the resources to develop them.

However, recognition alone will not eliminate structural inequalities. Sustained progress will depend on whether governments, financial institutions and agricultural organisations translate these achievements into broader opportunities for rural women.

For the farmers and entrepreneurs already working on the ground, the objective remains tangible: producing food, protecting natural resources and creating more reliable incomes for their communities. Their work illustrates how sustainable agriculture can contribute not only to environmental resilience but also to more inclusive rural development.