The status of women in agrifood systems
Farmer's Weekly|Farmer's Weekly 21 July
Declines in women's employment in agrifood systems are evident in most regions, and few women are involved in the more profitable activities across various value chains, according to a new report.
The status of women in agrifood systems

Globally, the share of both working men and women in agrifood systems declined by almost 10 percentage points between 2005 and 2019. In 2019, 36% of working women globally were employed in agrifood systems, down from 44% in 2005, while 38% of working men were employed in agrifood systems, down from 47%. This reduction was driven by declining employment in primary agricultural production; the share of those working in off-farm segments of agrifood systems remained the same.

Declines of women’s employment in agrifood systems are evident in all regions apart from Southern Asia, where it has remained stable. The regional trends in Southern Asia are dominated by India, where female participation in the labour force is low, but labour-force participation is relatively high among the poorest women, who depend on agriculture. Agrifood systems remain the main employer for women and men in sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, but they are a far more important source of livelihood for women than for men. In subSaharan Africa, 66% of women’s employment is in agrifood systems, compared with 60% of men’s employment. In Southern Asia, 71% of women workers are engaged in agrifood systems, compared with 47% of men workers.

Women comprised 38% of all agricultural workers in crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry production around the world in 2019, a decrease of only 1% from 2000. Women do not constitute the majority of agricultural workers globally, nor is their share in agriculture increasing in most regions, pointing to little evidence of “feminisation of agriculture” at the global or regional level.

Gendered patterns of participation in and returns from off-farm agrifood-system activities vary and depend on the type of value chain, local institutions and job characteristics.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 21 July من Farmer's Weekly.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Farmer's Weekly 21 July من Farmer's Weekly.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من FARMER'S WEEKLY مشاهدة الكل
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Farmer's Weekly

New farmers' seedling pitfalls

Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead

time-read
2 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
South African avocado production: a success story
Farmer's Weekly

South African avocado production: a success story

Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.

time-read
6 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Farmer's Weekly

Unlocking value through livestock exports

Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.

time-read
7 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
Farmer's Weekly

An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment

For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.

time-read
5 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Farmer's Weekly

Empowering dreams, transforming lives

Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.

time-read
7 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
Farmer's Weekly

Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal

South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities

time-read
5 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
Farmer's Weekly

The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture

While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation

time-read
3 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Farmer's Weekly

Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling

Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.

time-read
2 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
Tips for better olive production
Farmer's Weekly

Tips for better olive production

At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.

time-read
3 mins  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
Farmer's Weekly

More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah

On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.

time-read
1 min  |
Farmer's Weekly 27 December 2024