In recognizing the vital role of women farmers in ensuring food security and rural development, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) reinforced its commitment to gender equality in agriculture, ensuring that they receive equal land ownership rights and access to livelihood opportunities.

In a news release on Tuesday, Agrarian Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III acknowledged the contributions of women farmers that are often overlooked.

“Salute to our women farmers for their immense contribution to our food self-sufficiency program, more so in nation-building,” Estrella said as the DAR celebrated National Women’s Month.

“Nobody can underestimate the sacrifices of our women farmers. Oftentimes, they do the odd jobs, yet they rarely get due recognition.”

In partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the DAR has launched the PHP6.2-billion project Value-Chain Innovation for Sustainable Transformation in Agrarian Reform Communities.

The project aims to create economic opportunities and reduce rural poverty, targeting to benefit some 70,000 smallholder households.

Estrella said the project embodies a strong vision for women empowerment in the country, noting that they comprise half of the 350,000 individual beneficiaries from the 112 agrarian reform communities (ARCs) in the Cordillera Administrative Region consisting of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province, and the four provinces of Soccskargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani).

Meanwhile, beyond livelihood support, DAR recognizes women’s equal ownership of agrarian land.

Instead of listing farmers’ wives as “married to” in Certificates of Land Ownership Awards, both husband and wife are now referred to as co-owners.

This move aligns with Republic Act 9710, or the Magna Carta for Women, which mandates gender equality in agrarian reform.

“This is just the beginning. More livelihood projects, primarily benefitting women, are in the pipeline as we uphold gender equality in agriculture,” Estrella said.

“After all, behind every man’s success is a woman,” he added. (PNA)