Gender and farming intentions: Insights from Ireland's agricultural students

This study investigates the future occupational intentions of students and graduates of Ireland's foundational agricultural qualification, the Green Cert, which is required to access state agricultural supports and schemes. Retention of young people in rural areas and in farming is a key challenge for generational renewal. Additionally, a persistent gender divide exists in farming pathways, and this paper seeks to understand how and why male and female students differ in their intentions to farm full-time, part-time, or collaboratively. Using survey data (N = 160) collected in 2022, the study explores gender differences in motivations, perceived support, skills and familial circumstances. Findings show that female respondents perceive lower levels of support for a farming career and report lower confidence in their skills. These patterns suggest that cultural norms continue to shape occupational outcomes in farming. This research contributes to our understanding of how gendered attitudes influence both rural retention and the sustainability of agricultural education outcomes.