Building a career and advancing in the agricultural sector can be challenging for women. Career choices are often limited, and stereotypes about "male" and "female" professions still impact employment opportunities. Additionally, physically demanding fieldwork can pose an extra challenge.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the gender pay gap in the agricultural sector is 18.4%, even higher than in other industries (15.1%). This highlights that women in agriculture still have fewer opportunities for financial growth. To change this situation, new career prospects and access to modern technologies are essential.
How Agrodrones Are Changing the Job Market for Women
Modern technologies are transforming the agricultural sector and creating new opportunities for women. With automation and digitalization, working in agriculture has become easier, eliminating the barriers of physically demanding labor. Agrodrones have emerged as a key technology revolutionizing fieldwork.
According to Women and Drones, in the U.S., only 6.7% of certified drone operators are women, but their numbers are steadily growing. In Ukraine, official statistics are not yet available, but experts estimate that women make up 5-7% of agrodron operators, and this percentage is also on the rise.
The AGRONIX Academy is actively supporting women in mastering this promising field. Their training program includes both theoretical and practical drone piloting skills, and an increasing number of women are choosing this career path for professional growth.
A New Career Horizon
Today, agrodron technology is shifting the gender balance in agriculture, giving women more opportunities to build careers in the industry. For many, it has become not just a job but a promising field with significant growth potential.
In honor of March 8, we spoke with women working in agricultural technology who are successfully developing their careers in the sector. They shared their experiences, the challenges they have faced, and their achievements.
Yevheniia Doroshenko: Sales Representative
Career Path:
◻️ AGRONIX – Sales Manager for Pilot Training Courses and Agrodrones
◻️ TimacAgro – Sales Representative
Yevheniia Doroshenko is building a career in the agricultural sector and currently works as a sales representative at TimacAgro. Her journey in agriculture began at AGRONIX, where she specialized in selling training courses for drone pilots and agrodrones.
We asked Yevheniia about her experience in the agricultural sector and how she perceives the challenges women face in this field.
◻️ Have you encountered gender stereotypes in agriculture?
"Like in any industry, agriculture has its biases toward women. The key is to stay professional and not pay attention to stereotypes. Women can be on the same level as men, and sometimes even surpass them 😉."
◻️ What motivates you the most in your work?
"What inspires me the most is continuous growth. There's no standing still in this field—every season brings new challenges that contribute to both professional and personal development."
Thank you, Yevheniia, for sharing your story and contributing to the advancement of agrotechnology!
Veronika Rudyuk: Agronomist by Education, Sales Manager by Calling
Career Path:
◻️ AGRONIX – Sales Manager
◻️ NUBiP – Student at the Faculty of Agrobiology, majoring in Agronomy.
◻️ Why did you choose the agricultural sector?
"I study at the Faculty of Agrobiology at NUBiP, so my path into agriculture was logical. Now, I work as a sales manager at AGRONIX, which helps me combine my studies with practical experience."
◻️ What motivated you to learn about agrodrones, and how does it help in your work?
"Honestly? Money, money, money 😆. But seriously, knowledge about agrodrones allows me to communicate with clients on a deeper level. I don't just sell—I share real experience: explaining the pros and cons of drones, their capabilities, and how they work in the field."
◻️ Was it difficult to learn agrodron technology?
"Not difficult, but learning is continuous. We gain new knowledge throughout our lives. I believe that if you have the desire, mastering agrodrones is no problem at all."
◻️ How do you feel about biases against women in agriculture?
"Yes, biases exist. But I take it calmly. I listen to those with experience, but I don’t let other people’s opinions define my place in this field. Women can work in agriculture on the same level as men, and in a few years, we might even lead the industry 😉."
◻️ What advice would you give to young women who want to work in agriculture?
"Follow your goal, listen to yourself. Don’t be afraid to try—take everything step by step. If this is your calling, you’ll feel it right away."
◻️ What inspires you the most in your work?
"Growth. The feeling that I’m in the right place, that this is truly my field. I live and breathe it, and I see huge potential in it."
Veronika is a great example of a woman confidently working in the agricultural sector. She is not only developing herself but also proving that agriculture has a place for everyone.
Serdiuk Vladyslava: GPS Navigation Dispatcher
Career Path:
◻️ LLC APK "Magnat" – GPS Navigation Dispatcher
◻️ NUBiP – Master's Program Student in "Agrokebety"
◻️ Where do you work now, and how did you enter the agricultural sector?
"Agriculture chose me. I initially planned to pursue a career in philology, but after failing to secure a state-funded spot in journalism, I ended up studying management at an agro-technical institute.During my internship at a company growing grain crops in the Chernihiv region, I was offered a job after graduation. At first, I hesitated because I had other plans, but eventually, I agreed. The available position was a GPS navigation dispatcher, and August 2023 became my entry point into the agricultural sector.
The job was challenging: I had to quickly learn the intricacies of processes, analyze large volumes of data, and adapt to a fast-paced environment. There were moments of exhaustion, mistakes, and demotivation, but ultimately, I found my calling in agriculture. Now, I am pursuing a master’s degree in the 'Agrokebety' program and gradually working towards my goal—getting a job at a major agribusiness company."
◻️ Was it interesting to learn about agrodron technology?
"My first day at work coincided with the start of fungicide application using agrodrones. No one on the team had worked with them before, so I had to learn quickly and coordinate the process. There was no room for mistakes—we were collaborating with the military. My mind was afraid, but my hands kept working.
Working with drones is both stressful and exciting. It’s amazing to see how they change the workflow: saving fuel, preventing crop trampling, and minimizing manual labor. Now, I want to try piloting this compact yet powerful machine myself."
◻️ Have you faced gender biases in this field?
"Yes. When the company purchased new drones, there was an opportunity to train as an operator. I applied, but my request was denied with the reasoning that 'a girl shouldn’t be breathing chemicals.' At first, I was disappointed, but I took it in stride—everything in its time."
◻️ What advice would you give to young women who want to work in agriculture or technology?
"Don’t be afraid to try. In agriculture, gender doesn’t matter—what matters is your desire to learn, grow, and work. Challenges should motivate you, and mistakes should teach you. If you’re interested, keep moving forward, and opportunities will find you!"
◻️ What inspires you the most in your work?
"Agriculture is a world of its own, revealing itself to those who truly engage with it. When you find your place in it, you start appreciating every detail—watching machines at work, observing changes in crops, and having professional discussions with colleagues.
What fascinates me the most? The variability. The same tractor, the same field, the same equipment—yet the results are always different. This keeps you sharp, pushes you to develop, and makes agriculture even more exciting."
In Ukraine, women have always played a crucial role in the agricultural sector, working alongside men and contributing to the development of farming. Today, their role continues to expand, with modern technologies opening even more opportunities for career growth.
More and more women are finding their place in agriculture, mastering cutting-edge tools and building successful careers. The key is not to be afraid to try, learn new things, and pursue your goals.
We are proud to be part of this process—helping women explore promising professions, train new specialists, and contribute to the transformation of the agricultural industry.
Happy International Women’s Day to all women! Wishing you inspiration, new opportunities, and success in all your endeavors!
