Heifer International has launched a regional campaign, “She has a story to tell. Are you listening?”, aimed at elevating the voices and leadership of women farmers across Asia.

The campaign, unveiled during a virtual event bringing together women farmers, policymakers, investors and development partners, aligns with the UN International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026. The campaign seeks to reposition women as central to food systems and rural economies, the organisation said in a statement.

Heifer International Senior Vice President for Asia Programmes Neena Joshi said the initiative calls for a shift in how women farmers are perceived. “Transformation in food systems begins with listening to the women who produce our food,” she said, adding that women farmers remain undervalued despite their economic contributions.

Women farmers from Nepal and Cambodia shared their experiences during the launch. Samjhana Khadka from Melung, Nepal, said training and support helped her transition into an agripreneur, improving her income and financial independence. Sorn Pov from Siem Reap, Cambodia, said cooperative efforts enabled her group to save about 45 million Cambodian riel, improving financial stability.

International Fund for Agricultural Development Regional Director Reehana Rifat Raza highlighted persistent structural inequality, noting that policies are often developed without input from women farmers. She cited Nepal as a positive example, where women account for 75 percent of beneficiaries and 59 percent of leadership roles in cooperatives.

Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA) Secretary General Prasun Kumar Das stressed the need for inclusive financial systems, noting that women farmers face limited access to markets and financial services alongside unpaid care responsibilities.

Campaign ambassador Prajakta Koli said storytelling can help shift perceptions, asking why women farmers are often discussed but not heard.

The campaign aims to reshape global understanding of farmers, recognising women as key decision-makers in agriculture, according to Heifer International.