A new booklet showcasing the role of women in improving social, environmental and economic sustainability in the sector has been launched by the Minister for Agriculture Martin Heydon.

The booklet was produced as part of the women in agriculture action plan.

The booklet profiles 12 female fishers, foresters, and food producers. Here's an insight into some of the 12 featured.

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Blátnaid Gallagher

Blathnaid is a mixed enterprise farmer from Galway. She is also the co-founder of the Galway Wool Co-op. She began farming in 2017 with her husband Niall and restored her uncle’s farm. She runs an organic system with a pedigree herd of native Galway sheep. She also breeds Connemara ponies and is the custodian and caretaker of a butterfly sanctuary for the national parks and wildlife service.

Tilly Doyle

Tilly is a farmer from Co Laois. She has always wanted to be out farming or working with machinery. She works with Templetuohy Farm Machinery (TFM) in the parts department. She says that at first the older generation of farm customers had their reservations when they saw a young female teenager in the role, but she says that they have gotten used to her.

Ieva Bokuma

Ieva is a fisher based in west Cork. She moved to Ireland with her husband 17 years ago from Latvia. She says her husband was already an active fisherman and she began to get involved with catches over time. It eventually led to her becoming fully involved in the business. They have now progressed to opening a stall selling freshly caught seafood at Schull country market.

Leitrim Hill Creamery

Leitrim Hill Creamery is a small goat farm and creamery in Drumcong, Co Leitrim. It is run by Lisa Gifford, Gypsy Gifford and Richelle South. They are a mother, daughter and daughter-in-law team. Lisa moved from America in 2016 and set up a small herd of goats in 2017, and started making artisan goat’s cheese. Since then they have established a creamery and officially registered as Leitrim Hill Creamery.