Nominations have opened for the second Women in Agricultural Innovation Award (WiAI), and this year FIRA USA has widened the field. What began in 2025 as the Women in AgRobotics of the Year Award now recognises women driving progress across the whole of agricultural innovation — robotics and autonomous systems, but also precision agriculture, data and AI, biotech, digital tools, sensors, software and irrigation. Applications are due on 5 October and the winner will be honoured at FIRA USA 2026.

The organisers say the change reflects a sector in which hardware, software and data increasingly work together, and one still largely dominated by men. "Agricultural innovation is stronger when the women shaping it are visible, heard and connected across borders," said Maialen Cazenave, co-director of GOFAR, the Global Organization for Agricultural Robotics, and of the FIRA events.

The inaugural winner, Arha Padman, chief marketing officer and a member of the founder's office at Niqo Robotics, was recognised for her leadership in AI-powered agricultural robotics. "Innovation needs translators — people who can move between the language of technology, the economics of a business and the lived reality of the consumer," she said of the award. "It is not about celebrating individual achievement, but about making the pathways of AgTech more visible to the women who will shape its next chapter."

The award is open to any woman in an influential or strategic role in agriculture, robotics or agtech more broadly. Candidates are judged on their professional contributions and achievements, the scope of their innovation, the impact of their projects, leadership and role-model qualities, and a short personal statement; a video introduction of up to two minutes is also asked for. A jury drawn from agriculture, robotics and agtech reviews the entries.

The winner receives a FIRA USA trophy and on-stage recognition at FIRA USA 2026, held from 20 to 22 October in Yakima, Washington, along with visibility across FIRA USA's channels, use of the award logo, possible features in Women In Ag Magazine and Agricultural Robotics News, and engagement with partner organisations. Partner prizes include membership and event benefits from American Agri-Women and California Women for Agriculture, with more possibly to be added.

Source: PrecisionAg