Women in Ag Mag’s Post

For inspiration on International Women’s Day the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry showcased inspiring women working in vastly different roles around Australia including our own Dalene Wray AM. They spoke to women across the nation, in departmental roles as well as key industry figures. Read on to learn more about each of the women who inspire inclusion and what they had to say about their part in this vast and diverse sector of Australia’s economy. “Our supermarkets are stocked with food from all over the world, and so much of the labour that got it there is female. But it’s not only about female farmers – there are women in influential positions in governments around the world. Our diplomats are negotiating with women in leadership positions in agriculture all around the world,” Dalene said. “We're better off overall with women working in agriculture, whether it's on farms, or our truck drivers, to diplomats negotiating free-trade agreements. We're better off with women in the room.” #iwd2024

Spain’s Ebru River delta is a unique ecosystem where farmers are living in sync with nature and respect its fragility, protecting it for generations to come. Andrea, Marta, Juan Antonio and I visited the area thanks to our PepsiCo Foundation partnership with Fademur as part of a #Rurality program aimed at supporting women farmers. It is one of the most inspiring programs currently working with 409 entrepreneurs. *You see, when women farm, they inspire other women, on and off the farm.* This is exactly what Susana and her five partner cooperative - the only all women rice cooperative in Europe is doing 🌾 We hear about their hopes, dreams, challenges and were inspired by their ambitions to get new products to market that showcase the power of this collective. But what’s the point of being on a farm if you don’t get your hands (and feet!) dirty. We helped remove weeds, snail eggs and learn more about how this beautiful crop is grown 💪🏽 At PepsiCo Positive Agriculture is a key pillar of pep+ our end to end business strategy. We are constantly looking to support farmers incorporating regenerative agricultural practices and to learn from and scale solutions 💚 Meeting Susana and the team gave me confidence that supporting and empowering more small-hold women farmers will help us feed a growing world in a more sustainable way. PS Did you know that if women farmers had the same access to resources as men, the number of hungry people in the world could be reduced to up to 150 million. #pepsicopositive  

"When considering women's empowerment, we observe that women primarily rely on their male counterparts at home for information. In contrast, male farmers derive their information from senior farmers and colleagues. Unfortunately, this access to knowledge is not equally available to women farmers, leading to decreased adaptability. Despite being involved in domestic animal husbandry, women often lack the autonomy to make decisions regarding the sale and utilization of resources, unlike men who enjoy independence in this regard. Therefore, breaking social stigmas surrounding women's roles is imperative to empower women farmers." - This is what Archi Ananya, Head of Impact and Development Partnerships of iFarmer shared in the recent roundtable discussion on "Climate Smart Agriculture: Role of Women and the Private Sector in Promoting Sustainable Nutrition Security" organized by The Business Standard & Joint Action for Nutrition Outcome (JANO).

🌸Celebrating Women in Sustainable Agriculture🌿. On this #InternationalWomensDay, let's shed light on a critical issue: the gender disparities in agriculture. Women play a pivotal role in sustainable farming, yet they often face challenges accessing resources, education, and fair opportunities. Vermi-Farm Initiative believes in empowering women for a resilient and sustainable future💪🌍. 🚜In many communities, women, especially in rural areas, bear the brunt of limited access to agricultural resources. They are the backbone of small-scale farming, cultivating crops, and ensuring food security. However, unequal access to land, finance, and education hinders their ability to unleash their full potential. 💚Today, we celebrate the countless women who toil tirelessly in the fields, contributing to a more sustainable planet. Their dedication and hard work are the seeds of change, nurturing a greener and healthier world for us all🌱👩🌾. At the Vermi-Farm Initiative, we are committed to breaking barriers and fostering an inclusive environment. We recognize the invaluable role women play in agriculture and acknowledge their right to equal opportunities🌐✨ 🌱 Through our initiatives, we empower women with knowledge, training, and access to resources. The Vermi-Farm Initiative is cultivating a network of resilient women farmers, equipping them with sustainable practices and climate-smart techniques. Together, we're sowing the seeds of change for future generations🌍🌾. 🌺We believe in more than just farming; we believe in cultivating reliable, climate-resilient incomes for women. Our programs focus on creating opportunities for women to become leaders in sustainable agriculture, contributing not only to their households but also to the broader community🌸💼. 🌎 This International Women's Day, join the Vermi-Farm Initiative in celebrating the strength, resilience, and contributions of women in agriculture. Together, let's sow the seeds of empowerment, ensuring a future where women thrive as key players in sustainable farming and food security 🌿🌟. #InternationalWomensDay #WomenInAgriculture #EmpowerHerHarvest #SustainableFarming #VermiFarmInitiative

📣 Calling ALL farmers/agriculture industry workers: Farmers Weekly is seeking your views on the role of women in agriculture, to see how much progress has been made in the 10 years since we last surveyed you on this topic. We want to hear about your experiences, whether you're a woman or man, a muddy boots farmer or you work further up the supply chain. The results of this survey will be used to form the basis of a new Farmers Weekly campaign, Level The Field, that will seek to make agriculture fairer, more equitable and more inviting for women. I'm so excited about this campaign, and the many messages I've received since the survey went live just this morning show there's real appetite for the initiative. If you want to get involved, as a sponsor, ambassador or other kind of supporter, please email abi.kay@markallengroup.com. But in the meantime, don't forget to follow the link below to complete the survey, and share with your family, friends and colleagues 👇

As we look to the future of agriculture, its inspiring to see the field become equal; for me it's not about being a "boss" or "fighting" to be ahead or above, it's about evolving to be equal. 🙌🏽 This article highlights the emerging trend of women balancing a traditionally male-dominated field and with the power of allowing for balanced decision making through the inclusion of a female's perspective, intuition, and passion for cultivating land... I'm personally excited to see what happens next and know that the future of our food supply is in good hands 💚 "Today, women in ag are poised to do far more than make incremental gains in a male-dominated field; they are driving a tractor right through the industry's glass ceiling. Agriculture is on track to become female dominated — and we should all be grateful. Without the women who are inspired to make agriculture their passion and career, who would produce our food and fiber in the future?" https://lnkd.in/gD_KMTnW

In many communities, female farmers face unique challenges compared to their male counterparts. Despite being nearly half of all smallholder farmers, women often have limited access and control over the land they work on. At Bayer, we understand the crucial role women play in agriculture. As part of our sustainability goals, we aim to reach 100 million smallholder farmers, including women, in low and middle-income countries by 2030. Our goal? To improve their access to vital products, services, and partnerships. As a global partner of Better Life Farming, a public-private alliance dedicated to empowering rural communities through innovative solutions, #TeamBayer has made significant strides in creating a network of women who support each other. We are actively supporting women to become agri-entrepreneurs and empowering them to pass on their agricultural knowledge, market expertise, and agricultural solutions to others. 🌱 #100millionfutures #SmallholderFarmers #BetterLifeFarming

Did you know that if women farmers had every where the same access to opportunities as men, the number of hungry people could be significantly reduced? The world is loosing huge potential due to inequality in too many countries. Check out the video below and the recommendations to governments, farmer organisations and stakeholders in the WFO's Policy on Women in Agriculture! https://lnkd.in/d7ExxvFz

Agri Enterprises (Pty) Ltd recently visited the pioneering participants from the Momentum Metropolitan Foundation Women in Farming project in KZN. The primary objective of the visit was to actively listen to the narratives of these remarkable women, establish a meaningful connection with them, and gain a comprehensive understanding of how the project has positively influenced their lives. Additionally, the visit aimed to showcase the tangible impact of the project on the ground, highlighting its significance and effectiveness. One of the most memorable aspects of the visit was witnessing these women's remarkable resilience and innovation. Despite facing numerous obstacles, they have shown an unyielding drive to achieve their goals. Their capacity to adjust, devise inventive solutions, and explore unconventional approaches reflects their fortitude and dedication. When you visit the farms where the Women in Farming project is taking place, you'll see high-quality vegetables on display. These vegetables represent these women's hard work and dedication to their farms. They proudly showcase the fruits of their labour and demonstrate their project's success. It's important to note that the Women in Farming project is about more than just agriculture. It's also about empowering women, building community, and breaking down barriers. By visiting these farms and listening to the stories these women have to share, we are celebrating their achievements and contributing to the larger narrative of women's empowerment. #WomenInFarming #Agriculture #Empowerment #CommunityBuilding #BreakingBarriers