Championing female farmers: Yara Myanmar’s SHEroes initiative

“Instead of allocating tasks based on gender, we should all adopt the mindset that I can do it all. I don’t find working alongside men to be more exhausting."

Ma Su Su Lwin, farmer

“It’s about demonstrating our capabilities and standing shoulder to shoulder with our male counterparts,” says Ma Su Su Lwin, a 34-year-old farmer from Lewe township in Nay Pyi Taw.

A play on the words “she” and “hero,” SHEroes highlights women’s capabilities, challenges gender-based obstacles, and promotes equality. This initiative showcases the transformative impact of empowering women in agriculture, bridging the gender gap for a more inclusive sector and ultimately growing prosperity in the community through broad economic growth.

Celebrating the leadership of female farmers

Ma Su Su Lwin manages a five-acre farm, cultivating various crops and working as a salesperson for agricultural products. She emphasizes the importance of leading the way in working alongside men. “In the realm of business,” she says, “One may experience anxiety, but it’s essential to assert oneself independently, on equal footing with men.”

Ma Su Su Lwin represents countless women farmers in Myanmar who lead agricultural enterprises with determination, pursuing excellence despite often being overlooked.

Demonstrating women’s resilience across diverse challenges

Women have the opportunity and the responsibility to showcase their capability and equality in their fields. Yara Myanmar sets an example with its field training initiatives nationwide, enhancing farmers’ knowledge and business success. These programs underscore women’s crucial role in advancing agriculture and pushing for equality.

Ma Lwin Lwin Mar, a leader in Myanmar’s agricultural sector, recognized Ma Zar Zar Win, Senior Agronomist in Yara, for sharing invaluable insights on sustainable farming practices. “What impresses me about Yara extends beyond their fertilizers,” says Ma Lwin Lwin Mar. “They consistently provide invaluable insights on soil health and crop nutrition right in the field. Using Yara products has significantly increased my yields and income, enabling me to make significant contributions to social organizations in my community.” Yara Myanmar’s SHEroes program is about more than cultivating crops; through it we are nurturing a more inclusive future.

Breaking through gender stereotypes to grow a nature-positive food future

Elevating women in agriculture goes beyond gender equality; it offers significant benefits for society. Empowering female farmers leads to increased productivity, income generation, and overall economic growth within communities, creating farmer prosperity. The inclusion of women not only challenges traditional gender roles but also enhances their role in agriculture. Women are essential to the sector’s success. Addressing their unique challenges is vital, not only for sustainability but also for fostering inclusive agricultural systems, ensuring resilience for future generations.