Representation and Diversity in the Worforce

How well represented are minorities in the workforce and how are outreach schemes being used to make it more diverse?

How well represented do you think women are in the agriculture

industry up to the most senior positions?

Overall, 81% of respondents think women are 'hugely' or 'slightly' under represented in the industry. This number varies from 87% in Europe, down to 71% in South America, where 9% also think that women are over represented. Of course, these numbers don't reflect the reality of the situation, but the perception of those in the industry.

How well represented do you think cultural/ethnic minorities are in
corporate roles in the agriculture industry?

Interestingly, respondents see cultural/ethnic minorities as better represented in corporate roles in the agriculture industry than women. Whilst 69% still think they are under represented, 29% believe they are about equally represented.

Does your organization have any outreach schemes/investment
programs to encourage a more diverse workforce?

Over half of respondents' organizations have outreach schemes or investment programs to encourage a more diverse workforce. That number varies significantly in different regions, with 74% of respondents based in Africa, versus just 42% of those based in Europe responding affirmatively.

For which groups does your organization have outreach schemes/investment
programs to encourage a more diverse workforce?

Looking at just the data for those organizations that do have outreach schemes or investment program, women and young people are the two groups most often targeted (64%), cultural/ethnic minorities (51%). At the other end of the scale, just 14% of organizations have schemes aimed at encouraging veterans into the workforce.

*Excluding those without any outreach schemes/investment programmes

Does your organization have outreach schemes/investment
programs to encourage veterans to the workforce?

When comparing the data for organizations that have outreach schemes or investment programs to encourage veterans to the workforce, unsurprisingly North American companies come out on top with 16% , whilst no other region is above 6%. On the following page we look at some of the different types of scheme being run.

What types of outreach schemes/investment programs does your organization have to encourage veterans a more diverse workforce? (Selected responses)

“We offer economic help for those students who really need the funding for higher education.”

“Improving the ratio of female managers and abolition of promotion by age.”

“Internships to mentor into permanent positions.”

“Participation in Women in Ag groups.”

“We publicize ratios, publish the gender pay gap, and are moving to publish ethnicity pay gaps.”

“We have a Trust to help disadvantaged students through school and university, providing a job thereafter. Junior training program for newly qualified individuals.”

“In Uganda we teach in our school how to farm sustainably and in Kenya we will be teaching disadvantaged women how to become more self-reliant.”

“We have an active policy for cultural diversity. We create sustainable opportunities for the Indigenous population in Australia and have an aggressive employment target for aboriginal and female employees.”

“We have made a strong statement and live by it, that we as a group of people work together to create wellbeing for everybody - it is a way of life and profits come as a result. We have a third party evaluating that we really live what we say.”

What can be done to encourage the younger generation more into agriculture roles? (Selected responses)

"We may need to talk more at school about agriculture, and not with the current focus on how bad pesticides are. Educate our kids about what agriculture is, why we need it and how it works."

"Agriculture needs to be introduced to younger people who grow up in urban areas. It needs to be sold as an industry with research in genetics, biology, etc for those interested in the sciences."

"Educate and advocate the positive aspects of regenerative agricultural trends for the future of the planet."

"Give them opportunities through start-up ventures funded by bigger corporate enterprises."

"Invite them to summer camps on farms."

"Promote that fact that agriculture is more than growing crops on the farm. There are a multitude of specialties that are needed for the whole of agriculture. Everything from behavioral economics to chemistry, to marketing and sales."

"Generate interest in one the biggest challenges humans face in the near future: feed a growing population operating on a smaller surface."

"Training in universities, offering ag students free access to shows and conferences, sponsoring presentations and papers from student groups, internships with companies in the larger group."

"Uncouple the association between heavy dirty work and agriculture. Show that in the ag industry is very diverse in roles and that it is no longer synonymous with heavy dirty work but requires professionals with a huge diversity in skills and knowledge."