Women in the rural world: roots and achievements – Sónia Moreira

Sónia Moreira: "Women already play a very active role in the rural world"

To explore the many dimensions of rural life and the challenges women face in it, we spoke to Sónia Moreira, agronomist, business owner and consultant at Espaço Visual.

Aged 45 and born in Penafiel, Sónia has followed a remarkable path since graduating in Agricultural Engineering in 2004 from the Escola Superior Agrária de Ponte de Lima. What began as an accident of fate turned, over time, into a genuine passion.

Sónia plays a key part in the Espaço Visual team, working as an agronomist and client manager. Her role involves advising and guiding clients through the challenges of the rural world, bringing not only technical knowledge but also a genuine commitment to the sector.

Her entrepreneurial spirit grew with the creation of Argutibérica in December 2013, the result of a Young Farmer project. Initially focused on producing hardy kiwi, the company went on to expand into blueberries.

Meeting the challenges of running her own farm while balancing her responsibilities at Espaço Visual and Argutibérica is something she faces with optimism and determination.

Our conversation took place on Sónia's hardy kiwi holding in Penafiel. The calm of the setting provided a serene and absorbing backdrop, allowing for a deeper look at the stories, challenges and achievements that shape her day-to-day life.

Sónia, what is your daily routine like as a consultant, agronomist and manager of a farm?

Balancing all these responsibilities is a daily challenge, but an extremely rewarding one. Every day is different, full of distinct and unpredictable tasks. In running Argutibérica, especially during the plant production phases, the demands increase significantly. That said, my days usually begin with my role as a mother, followed by my work as a consultant, which takes up most of my time. These three roles fit together harmoniously, so that the variety of functions ends up being simpler and more enriching.

How did your passion for agriculture come about?

My passion for agriculture came about unexpectedly, when I enrolled at university and discovered the agriculture course at the Escola Superior Agrária de Ponte de Lima. Ever since then I have felt genuinely fulfilled by what I do.

Even so, I am aware that agriculture is a subject rarely covered in secondary schools. I remember my father's doubts when he asked me about my professional future. Despite the uncertainty, I decided to follow my interest.

The problem lies in the lack of recognition for this course. The farming sector needs to be better promoted among young people, showing that it goes beyond simply producing food. It is a field that involves production, the environment and sustainability, and that contributes to national sovereignty, tourism and the landscape.

We need to spark young people's interest in this field, which has great potential and ought to be a priority for our country. Unfortunately, many do not see agriculture as a vocation or a calling. So I can say that my involvement in agriculture was accidental, but it has brought me great happiness.

What role does sustainability play in Argutibérica's philosophy, and what strategies are in place to face climate change and other environmental challenges?

Farmers have the greatest stake in sustainability, since they depend heavily on natural resources for production.

It is crucial that they adopt measures to protect the soil, such as not applying herbicides, a practice I have followed on my holding over the years. We also recognise the importance of energy efficiency in farming, even though it is a more recent topic. Water management is another fundamental concern for us as producers. Without water there is no production, which is why we have installed more efficient irrigation systems and adopted more careful management of this resource, while still meeting the needs of the holding.

These measures are intended not only to ensure the viability of farming businesses but also to protect the environment and contribute to the sustainability of the agricultural sector as a whole.

What are Argutibérica's biggest challenges?

Beyond the environmental challenges, agriculture faces a growing concern over the shortage of skilled labour. The scarcity of people willing to work in this sector has a direct impact on production capacity and operational efficiency.

In terms of economic sustainability, farmers deal constantly with market volatility and the need to maintain solid relationships with commercial partners. Fluctuations in agricultural prices and economic uncertainty can significantly affect financial results and the long-term viability of the business.

These challenges are persistent and require constant adaptation, always in search of new solutions. In addition, the arrival of new players in the market and technological innovation bring new opportunities and challenges that demand attention if the competitiveness and sustainability of the farming sector are to be secured.

What is it like to be a woman in a predominantly male field such as agriculture?

In my role as a consultant at Espaço Visual, I have seen growing interest among women in entering the farming sector. And women already play a very active role in the rural world.

It is important to stress that the rural world goes beyond agriculture, and includes promotion, family and tourism. I know of many examples of women running remarkable projects in this field.

It is clear that women are increasingly present and successful in this sector and are making a significant contribution. This trend reflects the growing role of women in the rural world, spanning a range of areas and following a general trend seen in other sectors.

What advice would you give to other women who want to enter or progress in the farming sector?

It is crucial to approach agriculture and rural tourism like any other business, with responsibility, altruism, assertiveness and a continuous search for knowledge. All of these elements make a difference to the results obtained. It is essential that business owners understand the costs involved in agricultural production and are prepared to adapt to constant change in the business environment.

To achieve long-term success, you need to follow evolving European strategies closely and stay up to date by seeking knowledge and talking to partners in the sector. In short, doing your homework with excellence and professionalism is decisive if you are to thrive in this sector.

Interview: Sónia Moreira Copy: Cláudia Silva Filming and video editing: João Santos and Sónia Machado Editing and ownership: Espaço Visual Lda.