María Emilia Macor is an agronomist from Córdoba (Argentina)
María Emilia Macor is a farmers’ daughter and granddaughter who grew up in rural Argentina. At only 26 years old, she is determined to help make her country’s agriculture future-proof by exploring and implementing sustainable practices. As and agronomist and an active member of her local rural women’s network, she is helping make a positive change in the industry.
Hi Emilia, tell us a little about yourself!
My name is María Emilia Macor, but everyone calls me “Emi.” I was born in Adelia María, a small town in the province of Córdoba, Argentina. My parents are farmers, and I’m proud to be the third generation in our agricultural family.
I’m 26 years old. I attended primary school in the countryside and completed secondary school in Adelia María, about 30 kilometres (18.5 miles, red.) from our farm. That’s also where I took my first steps in agricultural institutions, joining the Youth Committee of the Adelia María Rural Society. There, I met young students and ag professionals from all over the country.
After high school, I began studying Agronomy at the National University of Río Cuarto in 2017. I graduated as an Agronomist Engineer in 2023. During the pandemic in 2020, I started working on the family farm while continuing my studies online. In 2024, I completed a specialization in Project Management at UCEMA (Universidad del CEMA), further strengthening my skills to contribute to sustainable and innovative agricultural development.
Institutional participation has always helped me grow, both personally and professionally. That’s why I joined the youth network of Aapresid (Argentine No-Till Farmers Association) to learn more about sustainability in farming systems and to work in teams tackling the challenges facing the agri-food community.
Today, I work both on my family’s farm and as a technical facilitator for an agricultural exchange group in AACREA (Argentine Association of Regional Consortiums for Agricultural Experimentation) as an agronomist.
Did you discover and learn new things about agriculture through your job?
Absolutely. I’ve learned so much about sustainability, project management, and community impact. I’ve also come to understand the importance of data analysis in production processes: how it helps us better understand systems and improve operational efficiency.
How is the perception of women in your line of work and in agriculture, in your opinion? What could be done to change this perception?
In my opinion, women play a fundamental role in agriculture. Fieldwork should never be limited by gender, we need to work together as a team. We need to inspire other women to grow, launch new initiatives, and create solutions that bring value to production systems.
All actors in the agri-food community – companies, governments, institutions – must actively work to promote the inclusion of women in every aspect of agriculture worldwide. And as women, we must be prepared to take on the challenges of our industry.
Do you have many female colleagues?
While the field is still male-dominated, more and more women are stepping into decision-making and technical advisory roles each year. I’m also part of Red Mujeres Rurales (Rural Women’s Network), an organization that empowers rural women by making their stories visible and building connections for sustainable development.
This article was published in the summer issue of Women in Ag Magazine.
