Women have always played an important role in the agricultural sector, especially in rural and agricultural development in our country.

Their active role has meant that they have been involved in all the work in the fields, such as sowing, caring for the fruit, but above all in the harvesting and packaging of the fruit.

Their historical role in agriculture

Although they have played such an active role in the sector, it has taken a lot of effort for them to gain an important place in the history of agriculture, a role that is still claimed today. Because agriculture, above all, has been a male-driven sector.

In the 19th and 20th centuries, in the face of the different wars that ravaged Europe and the rest of the world, the role of female farmers was fundamental for rural and peasant areas to be able to maintain their development, their economic level and above all their food subsistence.

In 1891, Europe wanted to recognise the importance of women in agriculture, asking all states to promote the development of professional education.

What happened in Spain?

In Spain, one of the most important milestones for women in this sector was María Vera González, who shortly before the start of the Civil War (1930) was the first woman to enter university to study what we know today as Agricultural Engineering. She was the only woman in her class, along with 242 men.

She finished her studies in 1941 (the Civil War forced the universities to stop), becoming the first female Agricultural Engineer. Shortly afterwards, she managed to pass the competitive examinations for the role of State Surveyor.

María Vera, and shortly afterwards Margarita Martínez, paved the way for many women in a sector that is gradually seeking equality between the sexes.

In other articles here we have testified to the role of women in society, and we invite you to discover women such as Clara Campoamor or Malala Yousafzai.