Costa Rican farmer Olga Vargas honored by FAO

Costa Rican farmer Olga Vargas has been named one of the 100 Heroines in Agroalimentary Systems and Rural Development by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The recognition, announced in Rome, highlights women who contribute to food production, sustainability, and community strengthening.

Based in Ujarrás, Buenos Aires de Puntarenas, Vargas has utilized sustainable practices and climate change adaptation measures to enhance her farm's productivity. Supported by a joint FAO and UNICEF project, she implemented soil management training and infrastructure improvements, including a water storage system fed by a spring she has protected through 20 years of reforestation efforts. These improvements allowed her to expand her guava production from 100 to 174 trees and support tilapia fingerling production.

The initiative precedes the 2026 International Year of Women Farmers, declared by the UN General Assembly. The FAO selected Vargas from 609 candidates representing 131 member countries to promote gender equality and better access to land, technology, and markets in rural sectors.