Women run nearly one-third of the 700,000 agricultural businesses in Italy, said Coldiretti farmers' group on Wednesday at an Expo conference on women in agriculture.
In the first quarter of 2015, nearly half, or 49.3%, of the 215,329 women-run agricultural businesses in Italy were in the south, where family-run businesses are the most prevalent.
"In their business activity, women farmers in Italy have shown the ability to combine challenge with the market, respect for the environment, protection for quality of life, and attention to social responsibility, together with promotion of local products," said Lorella Ansaloni, director of Donne Impresa, the women's business arm of Coldiretti.
Ansaloni said the role of associations such as the women's business movement within Coldiretti have been "fundamental" in helping women in the industry through support for legislation on retirement, family rights, maternity leave, equal rights and women-owned businesses.
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