• The National Rural Network (RRN) interviews Águeda Gil, president of the Aradón Cooperative Winery in Alcanadre (La Rioja).
• “There is a clear lack of generational change”

Just two months ago, in December 2021, Águeda Gil was elected the first woman to the Governing Council of FECOAR (Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of La Rioja). She will combine this position with the presidency of the winery she heads, Bodegas Aradón , to which she was elected almost a year ago, thus becoming the only woman to lead a wine cooperative in La Rioja.

In addition to this, Águeda doesn't forget her main daily role: being a farmer and winemaker. She adds: " I wish it weren't news to be the only female president of a cooperative ."

National Rural Network (RRN): Is there progress in equal rights between men and women in rural areas?

Águeda Gil (AG): Of course there are. It's obvious, thanks to the good work the administrations are doing in this regard. Equality policies are already reaching everywhere. La Rioja's draft equality bill provides for a parity quota of at least 60/40 in all governing councils. This helps rural women.

Does this mean that 10 years ago it wouldn't have been possible to be president? I think it would have been possible, but it wouldn't have been as widely reported. Now it's more newsworthy because there's greater awareness. And that means things have changed.

RRN: Has the rural environment been revalued after the pandemic?

AG: We've remained in the attempt. In the desire. But we're still at the same point. And it's not possible for that desire for a return to the rural world to materialize in the current reality. Rural areas still lack good connectivity, good communications, and good services. Without these, it's difficult for people to want to establish their lives in the countryside, even though they would certainly enjoy a higher quality of life despite all the connections and communications of the city. But without these minimum requirements, returning to the village is impossible.

RRN : What do you think about the rise of active activism emerging from rural areas?

AG: I see organizing and coordinating them at the national level as complicated, because each group would lean toward defending its own region and only looking out for the interests of its territory. Thus, a common, general agreement, which is what it's all about, would be impossible.

RRN: Where exactly is the wine industry after the pandemic?

AG: We're on the road to recovery, as we're still below pre-pandemic consumption levels. But the forecast is for a short and immediate recovery—more or less within a year—to reach those levels. We depend heavily on the lifting of travel restrictions, as wine is consumed primarily in restaurants and tourism. And those two pillars have fallen during the pandemic, so we depend on them to return to 2019 income levels. Currently, we have harvests on hold due to lack of consumption. But the forecast is for an immediate recovery.

RRN: As a young farmer, what would you say to young people in rural areas?

AG: Let them stay. It's an incomparable experience to experience the cycle of life firsthand, in contact with nature every day. Of course, they're already warned and well aware of the difficulties and disadvantages mentioned above. But life in the village is calmer and much more sociable.

RRN: And in your sector, the wine industry, do you think it's the right one for a young person to start out in a rural environment?
AG: In the wine industry, new entrants are difficult unless your family already has large hectares. But it is possible. However, the current problem we all face is the devaluation of prices. Everything is rising, except food. Thus, the future of the independent farmer is increasingly uncertain. Personally, I see the countryside falling into the hands of large corporations and moving toward a monopoly in which large wineries monopolize prices and the sector.

You can find more information about Bodegas Aradón through the following networks: social .