Women's participation in Sinaloa agriculture: from education, science and production

Abstract

Guasave, Sinaloa, considered the agricultural heartland of Mexico, relies heavily on agricultural production for its economy, making the agricultural sector a strategic area for analyzing women's participation. In this context, this article aims to analyze women's participation in agriculture from an intersectional perspective that considers gender, educational level, and work role. The study includes students and graduates of Sustainable Agricultural Innovation Engineering, professors, researchers, workers, and producers, also incorporating employers' perceptions of their skills and challenges. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining semi-structured interviews, surveys, and documentary analysis of institutional and academic information. The results show a growing interest among women in training in areas related to agriculture; however, structural, cultural, and organizational barriers persist, limiting their entry, retention, and access to decision-making positions. Despite these limitations, the participating women demonstrated a high level of technical skills, leadership, and innovation—qualities positively recognized by employers. The study concludes that women's participation is a key element for strengthening and transforming the agri-food sector, and underlines the importance of making women's contributions visible and promoting gender-sensitive policies that foster a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable agriculture, recognizing the strategic role of women in the development of the agricultural sector.