Agriculture
Women farmers in their own words
Fields Apart, One Shared Passion
As the sun rises over the fields of Brazil, farmer Carla Nemitz steps into the light of a new day. Thousands of kilometers away in eastern India, as evening settles, farmer Mandadori Soren completes hers, finishing the final tasks before night falls.
One begins. One concludes. Beneath different skies and on different soils yet carrying the same responsibility and the same deep respect for the land.
In this year dedicated to women farmers, their voices “meet” reflecting hope and sisterhood.
What does empowerment mean to you, not as a word but as a feeling in your daily life?
Carla: For me, empowerment means being who you are. It means having autonomy, having responsibility. And thinking about female empowerment, I see that a woman must have a spirit of entrepreneurial independence from a young age. She should be educated to be an individual, to be herself. She must take responsibility for achieving her economic independence and her professional success, because it is this professional success that will bring the freedom to express her opinions and her personality.
Mandadori: For me, empowerment is, above all, economic independence. We used to be dependent and had to ask for everything. When I started farming and earning my own income, everything changed. I could support my children’s education and manage the household without asking anyone. When you have your own earnings, you feel fearless. People listen to you. Today, I work according to my own will.
What kind of work do you both do every day that no one sees, but everything depends on?
Carla: I am a woman, a wife, a mother and a businesswoman. My day begins early, often in silence, before anyone else wakes up. That moment of breathing, stretching and reconnecting centers me. Then the day unfolds: organizing my daughters’ routines, managing budgets, payments, purchases, overseeing teams, monitoring livestock, walking through fields, checking crops. The daily monitoring of plants and animals is something I never give up. Being present in the field is essential. It’s where I feel connected.
Mandadori: I relate so much to what Carla said. My day also begins with responsibility for my home. Alongside managing our household, I coordinate farming activities and ensure our harvest reaches the market. The work may not always be visible, but it is what allows us to move forward. And I don’t do it alone. Staying connected through our Mahila Krushak Bazar, our Women Farmers Market network, gives me strength, shared knowledge and confidence.
Carla: Indeed, staying connected is very powerful! The sense of sisterhood is extremely important among women. We’re taught from a young age to judge other women, but our role is to support one another, so that we feel capable and ready to face challenges. Networks make that possible. I strongly believe we need to work in harmony, harmony between genders and generations. That’s how we intelligently build a more feminine, more beautiful, and more productive future.
What decision changed everything for you as a farmer, even if it felt small at the time?
Mandadori: For me, it wasn’t a decision within farming, it was the decision to become a farmer in the first place. At that time, we had no source of income at all. My husband and I had completed our studies, but there were still no jobs. So, we decided to try farming, starting with just an open space and cultivating only once a year during the rainy season because of water shortages. Later, we joined the Healthy Soils, Prosperous Farmers program and asked for guidance. Their support extended far beyond agriculture. They helped us address critical challenges such as low income, climate change, limited digital connectivity, and more. They also supported us in coming together with other farmers to form a Farmer Producer Company (FPC), creating a stronger and more organized system for selling our harvest and that made a real difference. What started as our only option eventually transformed our lives.
Carla: For me, it was not one single big decision. It is the small decisions along the way, the ones that quietly reshape our plans, even when we do not fully understand them at the time. In agriculture, which is highly dynamic, we are constantly making decisions that shift our direction. Sometimes a small adjustment leads to significant outcomes, reducing the soybean area to increase livestock, or replacing a planned corn crop with pasture. I truly believe we are intuitive beings, but modern life has distanced us from that.
What gives you strength when things feel uncertain or out of your control?
Carla: Resilience. I think that’s the main characteristic of agriculture. Even in complicated, turbulent crossings, I believe those moments prepare us to come out stronger. A crisis happens and pushes us to seek alternatives. I think that’s what makes us evolve.
Mandadori: Hope. The desire to achieve something greater, not just for myself, but for my family. There was a time when there was no source of income at all. We had to depend on others, and it wasn’t always enough. I kept asking myself: How will I provide for my children? Through farming, I realized that even small actions can bring big results.
What would you tell a girl who dreams of becoming a farmer today?
Mandadori: I would say that it’s not necessary for everyone to follow a traditional job path. Many people complete their education and still struggle to find work. To move forward in life, financial security is important, and farming can help you build that. But it’s more than income. Through farming, you can gain the ability to shape your own future. With the right guidance and meaningful collaborations, you can truly thrive.
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Carla: I would tell her what I tell my daughters: If you decide to become a farmer, be the best in this field. Study, become a specialist, dedicate yourself, and above all, have passion for the activity. My oldest daughter is studying agronomy. It makes me very proud that she chose this path, and that it was entirely her own choice.
Carla, if this year truly leads to change, what do you hope will be different for your daughter and for the women who farm after you?
Carla: If this year truly changes something, I hope it changes how agriculture is understood and valued. We need to improve how we communicate, especially with urban society, so people truly understand the importance of our sector. Today, food is easily available in supermarkets, and few people stop to think about where it comes from or how technological and advanced agriculture really is. At the same time, we need structural improvements within farms to welcome more women into the field. Sometimes simple changes make a big difference. Beyond infrastructure, there is also the question of security – legal, institutional, and political – as well as representation and voice. I would like the next generation to work in a sector that offers more stability, more recognition, and more support.
If your younger self stood in front of you today, what would you tell her?
Carla: Don’t lose your smile. Don’t lose the desire to do and to accomplish. Trust your path. Have autonomy. Experiment. Don’t try to fit into molds that don’t belong to you. You will be as big as your dreams.
For media inquiries or to repurpose the story, please contact:
michelle.wolf@basf.com
Published March 9, 2026 by Panagiota Boumpalou (BASF Global Agricultural Solutions).
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