The Agriculture Community in 2020

REPORT: The Agriculture Community in 2020

The agriculture industry, like most others at the moment, is assessing where there are untapped skills from currently under represented groups of people. Organizations are increasingly looking at diversity and inclusion in the workforce, as well as outreach schemes for attracting more women and a younger generation to the industry.

New Ag International conducted a huge survey (August 2020) of agriculture industry professionals from around the world on the diversity of the workforce and importance of sustainability within the community. Selected results of the 322 responses, presented in this report, reveal unique insights into the people behind the products.

Key Insights

81% of respondents think that women are 'hugely' or 'slightly' under represented in the agriculture industry.

69% of respondents think that cultural/ethnic minorities are 'hugely' or 'slightly' under represented in corporate roles.

53% of respondents' organizations have outreach schemes or investment programs to encourage a more diverse workforce.

44% of respondents think sustainability should be the most important factor when their organization is making decisions on its future.

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.

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