Young EUFRAS Online Trainings Address Farmers’ Health and Gender Equality in Agriculture

Supporting the future of agriculture means looking beyond traditional farming knowledge and addressing the wider challenges faced by people working in the sector. With this in mind, the Young EUFRAS programme recently brought together young agricultural advisors for two online training sessions focused on farmers’ health and gender equality in agriculture.

Both sessions were facilitated by Edgars Dzelme, EUFRAS Project Manager, and combined expert insights, practical experiences, group discussions and interactive activities, encouraging participants to reflect on challenges and exchange perspectives from their respective countries.

The first day held on 20 October was dedicated to the topic of farmers' health - Supporting Those Who Feed Europe highlighting the importance of physical and mental well-being in the agricultural sector.

Christian Büttel joined the session as a guest speaker, sharing insights into the German experience, including the initiative Farmers’ Health Week. His presentation explored the broader topic of farmers’ health, the challenges they face in their daily work, and the importance of recognising when support is needed.

Participants also learned about the different options available to farmers when seeking help, the support structures they can turn to, and the importance of setting healthy boundaries in both professional and personal life.

Beyond the expert presentation, the session provided an opportunity for participants to share experiences and perspectives from their own countries. Through group work and open discussions, they explored how farmers’ health is addressed across Europe, identified common challenges and exchanged ideas on how agricultural advisors can contribute to improving farmers’ well-being.

The second day of the online training (October 21), meanwhile, was dedicated to the topic of gender equality in Agriculture, addressing the importance of equal opportunities and a more inclusive agricultural sector.

The guest speaker, Linda Šarķe-Fedjajeva, shared insights drawn from her extensive experience and long-standing involvement in the agricultural sector. Her presentation included an overview of relevant statistics and highlighted the current situation regarding gender equality in agriculture, encouraging participants to look critically at existing inequalities and challenges.

Through interactive discussions and active involvement, participants had the opportunity to reflect on gender-related issues in their own countries, share observations and discuss what can be done to promote greater equality within the agricultural sector.

The session encouraged participants to consider the role of agricultural advisors in raising awareness, challenging stereotypes and supporting a more balanced and inclusive environment for everyone working in agriculture.

Both online training sessions highlighted the value of bringing young agricultural advisors together to discuss topics that go beyond traditional agricultural knowledge. Farmers’ well-being and gender equality are essential elements of a sustainable, resilient and inclusive agricultural sector.

By combining expert contributions with practical discussions and international experience-sharing, the Young EUFRAS programme continues to create opportunities for young advisors to broaden their perspectives, strengthen their professional skills and learn from one another.

These two training days once again demonstrated that agricultural advisors have an important role not only in supporting farmers’ professional development but also in contributing to the well-being and inclusiveness of rural communities across Europe.

“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or The State Education Development Agency (hereinafter – VIAA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority (VIAA) can be held responsible for them.”