Gender Equality and Green Entrepreneurship in Farms

Abstract

Gender dynamics in agricultural sustainability, particularly within the framework of Agri‐Environmental‐Climate‐Schemes (AECS), play a critical role in advancing green entrepreneurship. This study explores gender‐based differences in the adoption and intensity of AECS practices among Hungarian farms, emphasising the implications for gender equality in sustainable agricultural development. Utilising the Hungarian Farm Accountancy Data Network panel data from 2014 to 2021, we apply Blinder‐Oaxaca and Recentered Influence Function decomposition models to dissect disparities in AECS engagement between male‐ and female‐headed farms. Findings indicate that, while male‐headed farms receive greater AECS subsidies due to larger economic scales and resource availability, female‐headed farms demonstrate comparable levels of AECS intensity when controlled for these factors. These insights highlight the potential for gender‐sensitive policies within the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy framework to empower female farmers in green entrepreneurship and sustainable practices. The study's findings contribute to a broader understanding of gender's influence on green entrepreneurship and sustainable development in agriculture, with significant implications for policy frameworks that support inclusive and climate‐resilient agricultural practices globally.