There has been a call on the Government to set up a special unit within the Department of Agriculture to promote the interests of farm women.
An IFA conference in Croke Park heard that women in agriculture felt voiceless and that change was urgently needed.
About 700 farm women from all over the country attended the one-day seminar, held to coincide with World Rural Women's Day on Wednesday.
The chairwoman of the IFA's Farm Family Committee, Mary McGreal, said women in agriculture should be taken seriously regarding policy and the key to this was the setting up of a specific unit in the Department to give serious priority to the farm women's agenda.
The conference heard complaints about the lack of women in agricultural politics and the low number of women who own land in their own right.
Other issues include the lack of insurance cover for farm spouses and the need for greater recognition of women as farmers in their own right and as equal partners on the farm.
The IFA's equality officer, Mary Carroll, said there had been enough reports and consultations in the past and now was the time for action.
