Corteva Agriscience says it is committed to engaging with and supporting women in agriculture worldwide, from the largest farms in the most advanced economies to the smallest subsistence farms in the developing world. As part of its 2030 sustainability goals, Corteva has committed to empowering women.
The programme is informed by insights from a study conducted by Corteva in 2018 that investigated the experiences of women in agriculture and looked at what the company can do to ensure that women in agriculture are successful. As a result, Corteva is collaborating with key institutions to deliver solutions that will enable women in agriculture to thrive in Brazil, Europe, Asia Pacific, and now South Africa.
Almost half the world’s farmers are women, and women account for one out of every 10 farmers actively running farms in South Africa. Unfortunately, it is widely acknowledged that women in the agricultural sector are not equal to their male peers in terms of economic return and employment. Therefore, empowering and investing in women, specifically in rural areas, will significantly increase productivity while ultimately contributing to economic growth and job creation. Helping them is key to feeding a growing population.
"Women play a critical role, and Corteva Agriscience will collaborate with other stakeholders to enable inclusive agriculture and food systems. We support the needs of farmers – large and small – and this is key to our purpose. Through this programme, we will make an impact on the lives and businesses of these women in the agriculture sector, as well as their families and their communities,” said Betty Kiplagat, head of government affairs and sustainability for Corteva Agriscience Africa and the Middle East.
