News

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food recognizes 12 projects promoted by women in agricultural and fishing activities, the economic diversification of rural areas and communication in the 17th edition of the Excellence in Innovation Awards for Rural Women

• Since their creation in 2010, the awards have recognized 174 projects out of the 915 applications accepted in their 17 editions

• The writer Remedios Zafra, winner of the 2025 National Essay Prize, receives the honorary award

Innovation, entrepreneurship, and female leadership continue to demonstrate their capacity to transform rural areas. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA)   It has recognized 12 projects in the XVII Excellence in Innovation Awards for Rural Women , awards that highlight initiatives capable of generating employment, diversifying the economy and creating new opportunities in towns and coastal areas throughout Spain.

In addition to recognizing projects linked to agricultural, fishing, aquaculture, business and communication activities, the call highlights the role of women as a driving force for innovation and social cohesion in rural areas.

Since their creation in 2010, these awards have recognized 174 projects out of the 915 applications accepted in their 17 editions, consolidating themselves as one of the main initiatives to support and make visible the female talent in rural areas.

Women's innovation drives new opportunities in rural areas

In this 17th edition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has awarded the honorary recognition to the writer and researcher Remedios Zafra Alcaraz , winner of the 2025 National Essay Prize, for her professional career and her contribution to the reflection on the identity and reality of rural women through literature and research.

Originally from Zuheros (Cordoba), Zafra has dedicated part of her work to highlighting the experiences and challenges of women in rural environments, as well as participating in cultural revitalization initiatives in small municipalities.

Along with the honorary recognition, the ministry has awarded 12 initiatives across four categories: agricultural activity, fishing or aquaculture activity, economic diversification of rural areas, and communication. The selected projects reflect the diverse paths currently driving rural development, from sustainable agri-food production to experiential tourism, care services, scientific outreach, and the recovery of collective memory.

From apitourism to astronomy: twelve examples of rural innovation

Among the award-winning projects are proposals that combine tradition and innovation to respond to challenges such as generational change, economic diversification, or sustainability.

In the agricultural activity category, the first prize went to Los Izanes TC , a beekeeping operation in Soto y Amío (León) that has diversified its activities through initiatives such as beehive sponsorship, environmental services, and apitourism. Casa Gutier , an organic extensive livestock farm, was also recognized . Carolina Fernández Martín, who incorporates university research findings to improve livestock feed and meat quality. The project also combines livestock farming with rural accommodation and agritourism experiences.

The third prize recognizes Lucía López Ortiz , of Iber Melanosporum SL - La Tartufería , from El Castellar (Teruel), dedicated to the processing and marketing of black truffles. Among its innovations is a truffle butter developed using cold pasteurization to extend its shelf life.

Meanwhile, the awards in the fishing and aquaculture sectors have recognized projects that promote artisanal fishing, the blue economy, and the enhancement of maritime heritage. These include:

1. An Asturian artisanal cannery specializing in Cantabrian anchovies: Ana Labad , by Anchoas Hazas .

2. An outreach initiative linked to artisanal fishing in the Empordà: Elena Manera , a small-scale fisherwoman from El Port de la Selva (Girona), by Empordà Mar.

3. A project promoted by Galician net makers to encourage female employment and generational change: Professional Association of Net Makers of Cariño (A Coruña) by Miranda: Mirada al mar , an initiative developed together with shellfish gatherers and workers .

In the category of economic diversification of rural areas , the award-winning initiatives show how innovation can open new avenues for development in the territories:

1. The first prize has been awarded to Natali Asorey Zorraquino , for Proxecto Colaxe , a network of cooperatives and senior citizens' homes in the Costa da Morte that combines care, social economy and the generation of female employment.

2. An Andalusian project of assisted pollination using innovative technologies has also been recognized: Eva Sánchez Rodríguez , founding partner of Innoplant Tecnología e Investigación Agrícola SL , from Víznar (Granada).

3. An Asturian company dedicated to bringing astronomy and scientific outreach to rural areas: Lucía González Cuesta , PhD in Astrophysics and founder of Allande Stars .

Finally, the communication category recognized projects focused on preserving and disseminating the memory, culture, and history of the region. These include:

1. An initiative dedicated to recovering the legacy of the washerwomen of Soria: Nuria Peña Delgado for Living Rural Memory: Memory of the Washerwomen .

2. A video podcast about the current reality of the Ribera del Duero: MOSS PRODUCCIONES SL by Marta en la Ribera , a video podcast of 12 episodes , presented by Marta Clot.

3. A documentary theatre proposal built from testimonies of young female farmers and ranchers from different parts of Spain: Laura Santos Álvarez , creator of the Almealera company , for I was born in a row of beans.

Awards ceremony on October 15th

The presentation of the 17th Excellence in Innovation Awards for Rural Women was held on October 15 , coinciding with the International Day of Rural Women , at the MAPA headquarters in Madrid.

The ceremony also took place in the context of the International Year of the Woman Farmer , promoted by the United Nations and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) .

In addition to the financial endowment associated with the awards, the winners and finalists will be able to access training, mentoring and visibility actions promoted by the Crecemos Juntas program , promoted by the ministry to strengthen entrepreneurship and female leadership in rural areas.

Source: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) .