When we think of agriculture, we often imagine fields, tractors, or local markets. But behind every seed sown, there’s often behind-the-scenes scientific work: that of agronomists. At the intersection of several disciplines, including hard sciences, humanities, and social sciences, agronomy seeks to better understand the land, plants, and those who cultivate them. Today, this discipline is transforming and becoming more feminized. Who are these women changing our relationship with living things? That’s what we’re going to discover.
What is Agronomy?
Agronomy refers to “the set of exact, natural, economic, and social sciences, and techniques that are called upon in the practice and understanding of agriculture” – the definition generally excluding veterinary sciences. While in common usage, agronomy and agriculture are sometimes used interchangeably, it’s important to remember that agriculture by definition specifically refers to agricultural activity. These two practices feed each other: agronomists must listen to the practices and needs of farmers.
A Young Discipline, or an Old one?
Two competing conceptions exist regarding the emergence of agronomy. That of historian Jean Boulaine, who believes that agronomy as “a body of knowledge relating to the development, exploitation, and conservation of the rural world, and systems of techniques that allow their enhancement” was born at the same time as agriculture, and that of Gilles Denis, who dates its appearance in Europe to the 18th century, during the development of the scientific method and an ideology of utility that seeks to understand and master nature. Its conceptual break with agriculture was established during the second half of the 20th century.
Knowledge in Service of the Earth and Living Things
Agronomy is characterized by a wide diversity of professional practices. Thus, two agronomists can have very different approaches depending on their area of specialization and work environment: public laboratories, private research centers, large companies, or SMEs in the agri-food sector. To concretely illustrate what the discipline covers, we can give the example of crop improvement through the selection of more resistant varieties, mobilizing genetics, plant biology, and climate data. We can also include “the study of agricultural practices in a region with the aim of proposing adapted agricultural policies, combining contributions from social sciences, rural economics, and the sociology of work.” It also encompasses soil analysis, water management, pest control, among others. Agronomists play a major role in resolving various agricultural crises (mad cow disease, avian flu, etc.). Their common goal remains the improvement of agricultural practices to produce better, respecting the environment, natural resources, and farmers.
And Women in Agronomy?
The profession is becoming increasingly feminized, currently counting one-third of women among agronomist engineers, and more than half of graduates are women.
Many women have already marked the history of the profession. Hélène Alarie, for example, is the first female agronomist in Quebec, and the only woman in her class of 200 students during her studies. She was noted during her career as an agronomist. She then entered politics, which made her known to the general public, notably as a spokesperson for Agriculture and Agri-Food in the Bloc Québécois. She notably participated in carrying a bill requiring mandatory labeling of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
In France, Suzanne Mériaux also embodies a pioneering figure, starting her career at a time when very few women worked in the field – they still needed their husband’s permission to work at all. Born in 1924 and intending to study medicine, she was pushed by the war to become a teacher. After it ended, she resumed studies in natural sciences. A jack-of-all-trades, she sought to broaden her skills throughout her career and took an interest in soil physics, pedology, clay structure, water, and plant water stress. She published 150 publications during her career. She joined the Academy of Agriculture in 1989 and became the first female president of this same academy in 1997.
What are the Challenges for Agronomy of Tomorrow?
Agronomy, a rich and ever-evolving discipline, is an essential link in the agricultural and ecological transition. While it has long been dominated by male figures, it is now opening up to a new generation of scientists, increasingly female. The careers of Hélène Alarie or Suzanne Mériaux remind us of the importance of making visible these women who, yesterday as today, actively participate in rethinking our relationship with land and food production. The future of agronomy cannot be envisioned without them.
Written by Nastia and edited by Intan
Sources:
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https://www.onisep.fr/ressources/univers-metier/metiers/agronome
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https://agriculture.gouv.fr/les-femmes-actrices-incontournables-du-monde-agricole
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https://agriculture.gouv.fr/suzanne-meriaux-ou-lhistoire-dune-scientifique-poete
