Meet the female farmers shaping the future of Brazil’s agriculture.
Across Brazil, women are changing the agricultural sector with leadership, innovation, and a strong commitment to sustainable and inclusive growth. At the heart of this movement is the National Commission of Women in Agriculture, launched by the Brazilian Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA) to support and strengthen female leadership in rural areas.
During the 2nd National Forum for Women’s Leadership in Agriculture, three leaders stood out for their inspiring journeys and ongoing contributions to their communities and the country’s agribusiness sector.
The forum, held in Brasília, brought together hundreds of women from across Brazil — rural producers, union leaders, entrepreneurs, and technical experts — to share experiences, discuss challenges, and shape the future of the agricultural sector from a gender-inclusive perspective.
With panels on sustainability, innovation, rural training, and public policy, the event reinforced the significance of amplifying women’s voices at all levels of decision-making. It also highlighted how organized female leadership is already changing rural territories through knowledge, collaboration, and determination.
These are the women to watch in 2025:
Stéphanie Ferreira Gobato
President of the National Commission of Women in Agribusiness – CNA
“Rural women have always worked hard — but now they understand their place, their power, and their right to be where decisions are made.”
An agronomist trained at the University of São Paulo (ESALQ/USP) and raised in a family of cattle ranchers, Stéphanie Gobato combines deep technical knowledge and a vision for sustainability in livestock farming. She is part of a generation of leaders shaped by training programs like CNA Jovem and has been active in rural unions since the beginning of her career.
Gobato believes that women bring unique inputs to agribusiness — especially in communication, teamwork, and resilience. According to her, representation matters: “Women are now occupying spaces they didn’t imagine before. When they see another woman leading, they think: ‘I can be there too.’”
As President of the National Commission, she works to strengthen local women’s committees, recognize talents, and support training in leadership and innovation. “We want more women in decision-making positions — not only in institutions but also within families and on farms,” she says.
Simone Carvalho Bossa de Paula
Vice-president of the Commission – CNA
“We are the ones who manage, plan, and implement. It’s time to show how much women add to the growth of our sector.”
Simone Bossa de Paula is a cattle rancher focused on cow-calf operations and finishing.
A leader in her community, she coordinates the women’s committee of the Rondon Rural Union and is one of the 16 leaders of the Women’s Commission of FAEP, the State Federation of Paraná. She is also a member of FAEP’s technical committee on beef cattle and President of the local Public Safety Council.
Her path as a rural leader began by supporting her husband in management. However, with time and commitment, Simone took the lead — and encouraged other women to join. “Many still feel shy, unsure of their ability. But when we’re supported, we thrive,” she says.
In the Commission, she advocates for more access to training and inclusion in decision-making positions of the rural sector. “We already do a lot. The difference now is that we are also making our voices heard.”
Antonielly Rottoli
Vice-president of the Commission – CNA
“Women are already leading actors in the field — but when we come together, we become even stronger.”
A soybean and corn farmer in Alto Paraíso, Rondônia state, Antonielly Rottoli is a powerful voice for female farmers in Northern Brazil. She is the founder of the Agro Mulheres Rondônia movement, Director at the Soy and Corn Producers Association of Rondônia (APROSOJA Rondônia), member of the state’s Grain Sector Chamber, and President of the Alto Paraíso Rural Union.
She started by attending agricultural meetings with her husband, but soon began to ask questions and participate in decisions. Her leadership grew naturally, driven by her commitment to sustainability, innovation, and inclusion.
Antonielly believes the Commission helps amplify voices like hers: “It’s a space where women from different realities can connect, share, and learn from each other,” she says. She also highlights the need to inspire the next generation: “Young women need to see examples. If we plant this seed today, we’ll reap great results in the future.”
