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Study: Women in ag say there has been progress but challenges remain 

Women in agriculture around the world say that although there has been progress, there is still gender discrimination in the ag industry, according to a study by Corteva Agriscience.

Krysta Harden, senior vice president of external affairs and chief sustainability officer, says more than 50 percent of women surveyed in the U.S. and nearly 80 percent of women in India said they perceive gender discrimination as widespread.

“It does vary with what country you’re in and what part of the world you’re in,” she says. “Most of the women- about 40 percent – say they make less money than men and have less access to financing than men and less ability to get credit.”

Corteva commissioned the 17-country study to highlight the importance of women in ag and identify barriers they face. More than 4,000 women were surveyed.

She tells Brownfield women say more training would help remove barriers.

“Many of the women, even though they may be working on the farm full time, are still doing a lot of the domestic care of kids and family,” she says. “Training often has to be at night and on their own schedules. Normally you go to a farm meeting during the day and a lot of women can’t leave their operations because of small kids or other responsibilities.”

Women also said more support, education, and public awareness would help reduce discrimination.

Survey respondents are directly involved with farming and are from China, India, Indonesia, Australia, United States, Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and more.

Audio: Krysta Harden, Corteva Agriscience