Frankfurt, Germany 16 October, 2025 - Joint DLG and Women in Ag Magazine award – 150 women from 63 countries took part in the four-category award scheme - International jury – Winners and runners-up operate in Austria, Cabo Verde, Congo, Germany, Jordan, Kenya, Philippines, Spain, Thailand, Unites States, countries Award ceremony at Agritechnica 2025 on 12 November in Hanover, Germany.
(DLG). The DLG (German Agricultural Society) and Women in Ag Magazine have today announced the four winners and runner ups of this year's "Women in Ag Awards". Conferred by an international jury in four categories: "Agriculture", "Agribusiness", "Education" and "Technology and Research", the award recognizes the contribution of women in agriculture, agribusiness, academia and other organizations in the agricultural industry. The award ceremony will take place at Agritechnica 2025, the world's leading trade fair for agricultural machinery, on 12 November in Hanover, Germany at the DLG Stand in Hall 24 at 16:00 hrs.
150 women from 63 countries entered the award scheme, which this year is being presented for the fourth time jointly by the DLG and Women in Ag Magazine. The winners were selected by an international jury of representatives from farming, the broader agricultural industry, science, organizations, and the media. The focus of the award is on outstanding achievements that contribute to the development of regional, national, and international agriculture.
Each of the four award categories includes a first, second, and third place. This year, the category Technology and Research selected two candidates for the third-place.
Winners by category
Category: Farming
First place: Joella Buhendwa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Joëlla Buhendwa, Founder and CEO of AstiFerme, leads a circular agriculture initiative in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo, that transforms household organic waste into high-quality animal feed and fertilizer through black soldier fly farming. Her model reduces pollution, replaces imported protein, cuts emissions, and boosts food security. With a background in plant production and deep community engagement, Joella empowers youth and marginalized groups through inclusive green jobs. Her work turns waste into protein, energy, and opportunity—restoring ecosystems and human dignity while driving sustainable development.
Second place: Dr. Zeinab AL-Momany, Jordan
Dr. Zeinab AL-Momany, a farmer and advocate from Ajloun, Jordan, founded the Specific Union of Women Farmers in Jordan, the first of its kind in the region, representing 5,000 women and 27 cooperatives. With a PhD and Master’s in Business Management, she has fought for fair wages, and for legal reforms, such as securing the right to rent 10 donums of land, a significant advancement from previous ownership restrictions. Inspired by her mother’s struggles, she opened a childcare center for farmers’ children and launched Sakrara CBO. Her work empowers women, improves working conditions, and gives voice to farmers across Jordan and beyond.
Third place: Mary Johnson, United States
Mary Johnson, Founder and CEO of Regenerative Farms, Inc., empowers rural women to lead ecosystem restoration and food system transformation through her Regeneration Hub model. Active across five continents, her approach has supported over 65,000 families, restoring degraded land and building regenerative businesses rooted in local knowledge. With a background in conservation and global supply chains, Mary combines technical expertise with grassroots leadership to scale climate- smart agriculture, improve nutrition, and create lasting economic resilience—placing women at the heart of regenerative change.
Category: Agribusiness
First place: Joyce Waithira Rugano, Kenya
Joyce Waithira Rugano is a Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of Ecorich Solutions, a climate-tech company transforming food waste into organic fertilizer using AI-powered, solar-driven Wastebot technology. Her innovation supports over 8,000 farmers, creates green jobs, and promotes circular agriculture. Joyce also leads JSmart Interior Decor and Bold and Defiant, mentoring more than 200 youth in entrepreneurship. Her work blends sustainability, tech, and empowerment, earning global recognition from Qualcomm, WFP, and others. Through Ecorich, she champions regenerative farming, climate resilience, and inclusive growth across Kenya.
Second place: Linda Kelly, Germany
Linda Kelly, founder of the Lupin Manufactory at Biolandhof Kelly in southern Germany, merges organic farming, innovation, and regional value creation. A farmer, entrepreneur, and mother, she transforms locally grown sweet lupins into gourmet, sustainable products. Her work promotes climate-friendly agriculture, biodiversity, and rural development. Honored with the Ceres Award and Entrepreneur of the Year, Linda advocates for women in agriculture and holistic food systems. Her manufactory is a symbol of tradition meeting innovation—proving that taste, sustainability, and impact can grow from the ground up.
Third place: Alicia Gómez Giménez, Cabo Verde
Alicia Gómez Giménez, Founder and CEO of Manderly Agriculture in Sal, Cabo Verde, leads a regenerative agritech project growing gourmet produce using solar energy and recycled hotel water. With a background in biotechnology and biotech entrepreneurship, she’s built a financially sustainable, circular farming model that empowers local women and supplies top hotels. Manderly integrates climate- smart tech and social inclusion, proving agritech can thrive in extreme conditions. Strategic partnerships and government support position the project to scale and redefine agriculture in small island developing states.
Category: Education
First place: Robyn Camille Mijares, Philippines
Robyn Camille Mijares, 24, is revolutionizing agriculture in the Philippines through youth empowerment and education. As Founder and Executive Director of YOUTH UPRISING and GROW SCHOOL Philippines—the first bamboo farm school—she has reached over 98,000 students, tackling food insecurity with sustainable farming. Robyn is the first Filipino to win the UNDRR Women’s Rising Star Award and a World Food Prize Laureate. A TEDx speaker and global advocate, she inspires youth to be changemakers in agriculture. Her mission: that Filipino youth will never be hungry, but always have the hunger for change.
Second place: Lysette Lacambra, Philippines
From rural roots in Cagayan, Philippines, to leading agricultural innovation across Asia and Africa, Lysette Lacambra transforms science into practical solutions for smallholder farmers. With 20 years of field experience, she heads the Technical Support Hub at East-West Seed Knowledge Transfer Foundation, supporting teams in 10 countries. She also champions sustainable practices, empower women in agriculture, and build local capacity through farmer-centered training. Grounded in Plant Pathology from UPLB and Wageningen University, Lysette Lacambra translates research into tools farmers can use—ensuring knowledge is inclusive, actionable, and transformative.
Third place: Anonymous Honoree
The jury honors a courageous woman from a country in Asia who is making a remarkable impact in the field of agriculture. She empowers women through practical education and sustainable farming practices, helping them build independent livelihoods and strengthen food security. Her work fosters resilience and dignity in a context where visibility could pose serious risks to her safety. For this reason, the DLG refrains from naming her or sharing further details.
Category: Technology and Research
First place: Cécile Deterre, Austria
Cécile Deterre, a former particle physicist, now leads the Data Science & IT team at Blue Planet Ecosystems, where she develops automated, land-based aquaculture systems for sustainable seafood. She applies machine learning, computer vision, and digital twin models to optimize fish health and ecosystem dynamics. Drawing on her physics background, she designs data architectures and control logic for real-time decision-making. Her work bridges data science, automation, and sustainability to enhance food security and reduce environmental impact.
Second place: Cristina Mallor, Spain
Cristina Mallor leads the Vegetable Germplasm Bank at CITA in Zaragoza, Spain, preserving over 18,600 seed accessions. Her work combats the global loss of local vegetable varieties, supporting biodiversity, agroecology, and food security. She collects, regenerates, and distributes seeds, linking science with communities to recover traditional crops. Cristina coordinates European genetic resource groups, serves on Spain’s national commission, and promotes citizen science, of which the “Ambassadors of Biodiversity” project is one, educating the public on how to be involved. Her efforts have revived varieties like ‘Tomate Rosa de Barbastro’ and earned national recognition for advancing sustainable agriculture.
Joint Third place:
Third place: Dr. Maria Theresa M. Mutia, Philippines
Dr. Maria Theresa M. Mutia, a Filipino Fisheries Scientist, is the Officer-in-Charge of the National Fisheries Research and Development Institute (NFRDI) and Chief of the Freshwater Fisheries Research Center. With 33 years in government service, she pioneered breeding and culture technologies for endangered and endemic fish species, contributing to food security and sustainable fisheries. Her work includes the first captive breeding of giant trevally and conservation of Sardinella tawilis. She holds degrees in Zoology and Environmental Science from UP Los Baños, has won national awards, published extensively, mentored students, and leads aquaculture innovations benefiting communities.
Third place: Lamai Yapanan, Thailand
Lamai Yapanan is a results-driven plant breeder with over 30 years of experience developing high-yield, disease-resistant tropical vegetable varieties. As senior breeder at East-West Seed’s Hortigenetics Research (S.E.Asia), she has released 13 protected varieties, including a patented papaya with 90 percent hermaphrodite flowers. Her work has empowered smallholder farmers, generated 40 million US dollars in revenue, and earned international recognition. Lamai’s innovations bridge science and farming, with a strong focus on indigenous crops, market development, and mentoring. She advocates for women in agriculture, inspiring future breeders to build resilient food systems.
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Media contact:
Malene Conlong
Tel: +49 6924788237
Email: M.conlong@dlg.org
About DLG
With more than 31,000 members, DLG is a politically independent and non-profit organisation. DLG draws on an international network of some 3,000 food and agricultural experts. DLG operates with subsidiaries in 10 countries and also organizes over 30 regional agricultural and livestock exhibitions worldwide. DLG’s leading international exhibitions, EuroTier for livestock farming and Agritechnica for agricultural machinery, which are held every two years in Hanover, Germany, provide international impetus for the local trade fairs. Headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, DLG conducts practical trials and tests to keep its members informed of the latest developments. DLG’s sites include DLG's International Crop Production Centre, a 600-hectare test site in Bernburg-Strenzfeld, Germany and the DLG Test Centre, Europe's largest agricultural machinery test centre for Technology and Farm Inputs, located in Gross-Umstadt, Germany. DLG bridges the gap between theory and practice, as evidenced by more than 40 working groups of farmers, academics, agricultural equipment companies and organisations that continually compare advances in knowledge in specific areas such as irrigation and precision farming.
