In the agricultural heartland of La Vall d’Uixó, Lourdes Falcó embodies a story of commitment, leadership and transformation. Her lifelong connection to the cooperative movement led her to join the governing board of the San Isidro agricultural cooperative in 2002. In 2016 she broke new ground by becoming president of both the cooperative and the San Isidro rural savings bank, making her one of the first women in Spain to serve as president of an agricultural cooperative.
“I could never have imagined becoming president of a savings bank and a cooperative as important as these,” she says modestly. Women currently hold only 4% of presidencies in agricultural cooperatives, a figure that shows how much remains to be done to achieve equality.
Lourdes Falcó was recently presented with Levante-EMV’s 2025 Agriculture Award in the Equality category, in recognition of her work promoting gender equality in the cooperative sector. The award highlights her leadership of the San Isidro Cooperative in La Vall d’Uixó and her commitment to women’s visibility and participation in agriculture.
In her acceptance speech, Falcó emphasised that “society is increasingly aware that more women are taking up positions of equal standing every day, but there is still a great deal of work to do.”
Making the invisible visible
Lourdes is clear: “Women have always worked in farming, but their work has been invisible.” Although she acknowledges progress in recognising women’s role in agriculture, she also notes that change is slower than it should be. In her view, gender stereotypes and deeply rooted customs remain the main barriers preventing women from reaching decision-making positions.
Structural inequalities
Farms owned by women tend to be smaller, which affects access to agricultural support. This is compounded by the double burden many women farmers face when combining farm work with family responsibilities. “It is work that requires a great deal of time and dedication, and this has not always changed as quickly as the rhetoric around equality,” she explains.
Young people and generational renewal
The lack of generational renewal is another of the sector’s major challenges. Difficulty accessing land, high purchase prices and barriers to finance discourage young people. “Farming is deeply rewarding, but it must provide a living. Without a minimum level of profitability, it will be difficult to attract new generations, whether men or women.”
Initiatives and support networks
Despite the difficulties, Lourdes firmly believes in the power of training and mutual support among women as drivers of change. She highlights the key role of women’s networks in rural areas: “Seeing other women succeed, have a voice and take their place encourages others and multiplies the impact.”
She also values public policies with a gender perspective, while stressing that they need to be implemented more quickly and backed by stronger political commitment.
Everyday leadership
For Lourdes, every step women take in agriculture is a success. This includes a young woman starting an agricultural project or a woman taking on responsibilities in her cooperative. “Every day we move forward is a collective achievement that we must make visible and celebrate.”
Advice for those starting out
Lourdes advises anyone considering a career in agriculture to begin with a solid plan, train thoroughly and seek support. “Knowing the sector well and having a clear proposal is the basis for success. Above all, believe that it is possible.”
Lourdes Falcó is not only one of the first women to lead an agricultural cooperative and a rural savings bank. She is also a courageous voice insisting that agriculture needs women not as exceptions, but as central figures in its present and future.
To hear her story, experiences and vision for the future of agriculture first-hand, we invite you to watch the full interview:
👉 In this video, Lourdes shares her experience as president of the San Isidro cooperative and her perspective on the challenges facing women and young people in agriculture. It is a warm, inspiring conversation full of valuable insights.
