The Irish Farmers Association (IFA) is pledging to introduce an 80:20 gender split on all its national committees.

It is part of its Diversity Strategy up to 2025.

Among other key recommendations is to develop a talent bank of women who are interested in holding positions.

These women will be offered mentoring and training under its Future Leaders programme.

It also limits the term an officer can sit on National Council as County Chair or National Committee Chair to 12 years - after which time they are required to move forward to a higher position.

The plan also wants to introduce a target that at least 20% of candidates for election are women.

It will also work to increase awareness of the strong role women already play within the association, and promote the opportunities available to them.

Bernie McCarthy, chairperson of Westmeath IFA, says women are very capable of running Irish farms.

"It's an opportunity for female farmers to have their voice heard - they're not just going to be tied to the kitchen sink anymore.

"Most of them are out running farms nowadays, they take over farm families much younger, they have done their Green certs, a lot of them have done degrees in agriculture.

"And they're quite capable of running a farm, probably even better than some men around the country."

Speaking at the launch of the strategy on Tuesday, IFA President Joe Healy said it aims to build a platform for change - creating momentum and challenging the status quo to support a more diverse and inclusive organisation.

Tuesday also marks the UN's International Rural Women's Day, which recognises the crucial role that women play in ensuring the sustainability of rural households and communities.

Image: IFA

"While there has been significant improvement in the level of female representation in the association in recent years, this strategy will ensure that we continue to grow and improve so that leadership better reflects our diverse membership", he said.

Mr Healy said that diversity, unifying and attracting farmers from all sectors, with different perspectives, has been the key to the success of the association.

"That has never been so important if we are come up with the innovative solutions to improve profitability and the livelihoods of farmers", he added.