Agriculture as we know it is in the midst of a great transition, which women are at the core of. If you are a woman who is thinking about or is in the process of entering an agricultural career, you are stepping into a very different picture—one that is not just changing what is possible for women, but also redefining how we as a world think about food production, sustainability, and rural development.
Here at this point, what is so exciting is that women are not only part of agriculture but are at the forefront of innovation, which in turn we see play out in all aspects of the farm-to-fork solution globally.
The Statistics That Tell a Story
Women’s role in agriculture is more than what we think it is. We see that 80% of the world’s food is produced by small-scale farmers. Also, on average in developing countries, women make up 43% of the agricultural labor force. In some countries, they are the majority. In South Asia, for instance, over two-thirds of employed women are in agriculture.
These are not just numbers we are talking about; we are talking about millions of women, whom we see as the backbone of our food systems. Also, their input has in the past been, for the large part, unrecognized and undervalued, which in turn has created a platform for transformation, which we now see great progressive women take the lead in.
In 2023, we see that 42% of all people reached by GAFSP’s public programs are women. Also, we note that these programs go beyond production issues to include leadership and decision-making. They also report that women’s access to agricultural inputs, training, finance, and producer organizations is improved, which in turn enhances their resilience to crises, climate change, and food insecurity.
Confronting the Barriers Head-On
Women in agriculture also have little of what they need, which includes land, quality working conditions, financial support, education and training, and, in general, the issue of equal treatment. For example, in some parts of the world, only 20% of landholders are women.
The main issue that women in Nigerian agriculture put up with is that of wide-scale gender disparity in funding. Mrs. Falana, a well-experienced farmer, reported that she is frustrated with the term “weaker sex,” which is used for her, and that she has access to less of agricultural resources. Also, in many developing countries, we see the same thing play out, where culture plays a great role in also presenting practical barriers.
Yet these barriers are presenting as opportunities for innovation. Between 2006 and 2019, we saw that the role of women in agriculture changed greatly, which included a 15% drop in the number of women farmers and a 40% increase in women classified as other/casual workers. Although at first that may appear to be a negative trend, it is in fact what is fueling new ways out of support for women’s agricultural careers via different routes.
Revolutionary Success Stories: Women at the Forefront of Change
The greatest degree element of women in agriculture is not that they overcome issues but that they are putting forth innovative solutions. In Mary’s case, she lives in Goziir, in Northern Ghana, with her husband and six other family members. Mary has been a part of Oxfam’s programs, which in turn helped small-scale farmers to increase their crop yields, install energy-efficient stoves, and obtain small loans. Last year she saw her maize harvest double.
Stories like Mary’s also tell us that when we invest in women, what we see is a great return on that investment. When we provide the right tools and training, what we find is that women not only do well, they excel, and they become agents of change in their communities.
Dr. Mary Pennington changed the food supply and put in place safe and sanitary processes for the storage and transport of dairy products, poultry, eggs, and fish. Her changes also saw the introduction of women’s perspectives to the field of food systems, which in turn benefited all.
Institutional Support: The Path to Success
Recognizing the important role that women play in what they do, large institutions are putting in place wide-ranging support structures. At the USDA Women in Agriculture Mentoring Network, we work to connect and share stories and experiences with other women in agriculture. We aim to put forth the image, the role, and the leadership of women not only in farming but also in leading youth organizations and doing cutting-edge research.
This is not about socializing at conferences; it is about putting in place systems that see women’s professional growth in the ag sector. We are rolling out programs that put into women’s hands the info and skills they need to do well as farmers, which in turn we tailor to what works best for them.
The American Farm Bureau has put forth Ag ConnectHER, which is to inspire and to arm women in agriculture with the tools for success in leadership. This initiative, which is run by the American Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee, puts the spotlight on dynamic and successful women in agriculture, we also see practical resources for their growth.
The Innovation Advantage: Women in Ag Tech
Women bring a different perspective to agricultural innovation, which is in turn redefining whole industries. This International Women's Day, we are recognizing the women in farming—growers, entrepreneurs, leaders, and disruptors—which they are among us every day. Also, we see how our female leaders in agriculture have broken through to bring in positive change to food and agriculture in communities all over the world.
From issues of climate change, food security, and economic development, we see women at the forefront of innovation in precision agriculture and sustainable farming practices.
Global Recognition
In 2026, it is proposed that it is the International Year of the Woman Farmer, which is an unprecedented recognition of women’s agricultural roles. This global proclamation is a catalyst for policy change, funding for women in agriculture, and a culture shift that supports women’s advancement in agriculture.
Conclusion
For women entering and growing in agriculture, it is to our benefit that they understand these trends. We should put focus on the development of skills in areas where women’s input is especially valued: sustainable farming, community development, and innovative food systems.
Take note of present support systems and mentorship programs. The infrastructure for women’s agricultural success is very large at this time, but it does require action from us to get the most out of it.
Your agricultural career can play a role in achieving greater social and environmental betterment. Women in agriculture are not just farmers; they are putting forth solutions to the world’s biggest issues at the same time as they build economic sustainability for themselves.
The present state of agriculture is that it is very much a female field, progressive, and global in reach. Your role in this change puts you not only on a path to individual success but also in a position to bring about large-scale positive change in communities and food systems across the world.