Gender Diversity Initiative
#InspireInclusion
The theme for the 2024 International Women’s Day is #InspireInclusion.
The campaign aims to collectively forge a more inclusive world for women and inspire them with a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.
In few sectors are the benefits of women’s inclusion and empowerment as evident as in agriculture. According to a recent FAO Report, closing the gender gap in farm productivity and wages in agrifood systems would increase gross domestic product by 1% (or nearly USD 1 trillion), reduce global food insecurity by 2%, and reduce the number of food-insecure people by 45 million. Moreover, if half of small-scale farmers benefited from development interventions that focused on empowering women, it would significantly raise the income of 58 million people and increase the resilience of an additional 235 million people.
The case for including women in agriculture is clear, and several IFA Members are already making strides in closing the agriculture gender gap through extension programs, outreach to female farmers, knowledge-sharing, and much more.
To inspire inclusion for International Women’s Day in 2024, IFA has rounded up several initiatives highlighting the concrete ways in which the fertilizer industry is working to better recognize and include women in agriculture.
Closing the gender gap in farm productivity and wages
in agrifood systems:
by 45 million.
Coffee Growers in Colombia
Yara has worked since 2020 on the improvement of women’s professional development in rural communities through initiatives such as the Yara Champion Program and in 2022 with a special edition of Women in Agronomy initiative, which provides women with mentoring, networking, and visibility opportunities.
Read more.
The Women in Agronomy initiative is particularly relevant in Colombia, where 4 out of 10 women work in the agricultural sector, but where gender gaps still persist, especially in terms of income. This is consistent with global gender trends in agrifood systems reported in 2023 by the FAO, which found that on average, women working in agriculture earned 82 cents for every dollar that men earned (FAO, 2023).
By providing women with knowledge, training and networking opportunities, Yara’s Women in Agronomy program supports farmer diversity and women’s inclusion, improving their profitability and contributing to global food security.
Watch the video on the work of Sello Mujer; and read more about María Esperanza Fajardo, who is helping promote women in coffee farming across the country.
Further information on the work of the Women in Agronomy initiative in Colombia can be found here (in Spanish).
Supporting female farmers in Pakistan
Our #InspireInclusion campaign takes us to Pakistan, where Fatima Fertilizer works to increase the visibility and recognition of female farmers, by spotlighting their crucial role in ensuring their nation’s food security.
In 2018, Fatima Fertilizers launched its efforts to highlight the inspirational stories of Pakistan’s female farming community, in a male-dominated traditional and conservative industry. The story of Rabia Sultan highlights an empowered and courageous female farmer, establishing her foothold in Pakistan’s agriculture landscape. In a groundbreaking campaign, the story depicts how she clinched the 1st Prize in a Farmer competition on Cotton organized by the Government of Pakistan. It was the first time that a female farmer was the protagonist in the campaign, which was recognized on many national & international forums, winning numerous awards.
Read more.
In 2019, Fatima Fertilizer launched the industry’s first-ever web series channel, Sarsabz Kahani, highlighting the real stories of Pakistan’s female farmers and heroes of the soil. One of the stories is that of Jugnu Mohsin, a renowned public celebrity and a progressive farmer, who partnered with Fatima Fertilizer to raise awareness of the decline of cotton production in Pakistan.
In 2022, the Sarabz Tabeer program was launched, focusing on female farmers, to provide them with a voice, a platform and resources that would improve their livelihoods and provide prosperity to their families and villages. One of the program’s key objectives is to empower them through vocational training programs about farm food processing and help them set up their businesses. This training has already been provided to over 1000 girls in rural communities across Pakistan. The program also provided relief to female farmers after devastating floods in 2022, by delivering essential goods and services to those most affected.
The program continues to highlight Pakistani female farmers on its YouTube Channel and during major global events, such as the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, where Sarsabz took three prominent female farmers to present their stories, struggles and achievements, and highlight and how Fatima Fertilizers is working to unlock the agriculture potential of Pakistan.
Fostering an inclusive environment in mining in North America
In North America, IFA Member Nutrien established the employee resource group Women in Non-Traditional Environment and Roles potash (WiNTER-K) to spearhead the inclusion of women in potash mining operations.
Founded under the vision of normalizing women’s participation in the mining industry across all roles, it connects, supports, and advocates for women working in non-traditional roles, removing any barriers they might face. Moreover, it amplifies the voices of women working in non-traditional environments and brings their perspective to Nutrien’s human resources and potash leadership team.
Read more.
The annual WiNTER-K group gathering, held last year in Saskatoon, Canada, brings together both women and allies from Nutrien’s six potash mines, and its potash business network, to share experiences, understand each other’s perspectives and ignite positive change in the industry. The conference aims to connect women working in similar environments, facilitate their networking, and create an inclusive space for voices from all backgrounds to be heard.
Watch the attendee feedback from their conference.
More information on the WiNTER-K program can also be found on Nutrien’s website.
Breaking barriers in Australia
Agriflex, the subsidiary of Australia-based Centrex, is making important strides in the inclusion of women in its mining operations. The company has implemented targeted policies actively promoting diversity and inclusion. It has now one of the most diverse workforces in the industry, thanks to its commitment to equal employment opportunities.
The company is also taking action for the better inclusion of indigenous women in its workforce: Hiti Taluja, Agriflex’ Chief Commercial Officer, will be launching a mentoring program, designed to provide them with opportunities to advance their careers.
Read more.
Read more about Agriflex, and the inspiring women working on its Ardmore Operation (located in Northwest Queensland).
Improving farmer livelihoods through knowledge-sharing, IFCD’s HortiNigeria project
Our #InspireInclusion campaign puts a spotlight on the story of Saudatu Yakubu, a 29-year-old farmer in Kaduna State, Nigeria. She took part in the IFDC’s HortiNigera program, which offers training on fertilizer applications, the 4Rs of Nutrient Stewardship, and crop-specific fertilizer blends. Following her training, Saudatu successfully ventured into cabbage farming, and, thanks to the knowledge she received on good agricultural practices, she was able to improve her yields and inspire fellow female farmers. Read more about Saudatu’s story.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) funds the IFDC’s HortiNigeria program, which will be running from 2021-2025. Aiming to facilitate sustainable and inclusive horticulture, the program contributes to securing food and nutrition all across Nigeria.