Article
The female face of agriculture
Published: 08/08/2018
From the classroom to the farm to the boardroom, women in agriculture not only play an important role in feeding the world, but they are affecting positive change in the agricultural space. Women fill many roles across the agricultural spectrum where they influence the agricultural agenda and decision-making. They are farmers and farmworkers, agricultural researchers, educators, journalists and agri-business people. - Karen Grobler, Agbiz marketing and communications manager
From the classroom to the farm to the boardroom, women in agriculture not only play an important role in feeding the world, but they are affecting positive change in the agricultural space. Women fill many roles across the agricultural spectrum where they influence the agricultural agenda and decision-making. They are farmers and farmworkers, agricultural researchers, educators, journalists and agri-business people.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations reports that more than two thirds of all women in Africa are employed in some way in the agricultural sector. World Bank figures cite that women account for 40% of the agricultural labour force on the African continent, and approximately 50% in sub-Saharan Africa. Globally, the proportion of women in agricultural production and post-harvest activities ranges from 20% to 50%.
Opportunities for women in agriculture and agribusiness lie in understanding the challenges of tomorrow and positioning themselves to meet these challenges. These opportunities are as diverse as the women in the sector. As an industry, it is our responsibility to make sure the next generation of women are educated, encouraged and empowered to take on the challenges of meeting the world’s growing food and fibre needs.
Ensuring that women have all the tools to succeed, is key. An increased focus on women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) is providing new opportunities. More needs to be done though – today in Africa, for example, only about 25% of agricultural scientists are women. Educational institutions and private corporations are investing in women who want to pursue science and technology careers. With an increased focus on mentoring and training, women in laboratories are getting the training and tools they need to help women in the fields.
Monsanto is an example of an agricultural company that prides itself on the fact that women make up a substantial part of their workforce. The company’s commitment to equal opportunity in the workplace is on display in its businesses all over the world. Women are employed in a diverse range of roles, and in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, women make up between 30% and 50% of the company’s staff and leadership teams.
Bridging the gender gap and inequality is important and the company is addressing this through various global programmes, individually, but also in partnership with various institutions. In South Africa, Monsanto is embarking on a focused programme looking at skills development in the agricultural sector. They are also involved in programmes with other partners such as Khulisa, Mobile Agri Skills Development and Training (MASDT), Grain South Africa, Omnia and Senwes, addressing the challenges that women must deal with on-farm.
Today, on Women's Day, we honour and celebrate the contributions of all women in agriculture – from the farm gate to the consumer’s plate. Women in agriculture need to connect with other women leaders in the industry around the country and the world, but we also need to support young women interested in the sector to enter and gain experience. Hopefully these individuals will in future be a commercial producer, a successful processor, an entrepreneur, a scientist, or an agricultural administrator or policymaker.
Women in agriculture, Agbiz salutes you!