Women set to take on bigger role in ag

If a report recently released by ANZ Agri is anything to go by, women will be playing a more important part in the future of Australia's agricultural industry, with about 56 per cent of students currently undertaking agriculture and environment related courses consisting of women.

The report, released in conjunction with International Day of Rural Women, estimates that 18,445 female graduates are expected to enter the agricultural workforce in the near future compared to 13,646 males.

At the moment, women make up just 34 per cent of agriculture employees and are estimated to provide about one third of all on-farm income today, compared to a significant 84 per cent of off-farm income.

But what was perhaps surprising and pleasing to see is that 50 per cent of women working in agriculture are in a management role.

“The role of women in the Australian agriculture has historically been ‘under the radar’ – providing support, advice, labour and alternative income while rarely being recognised as a fundamental part of the Australian agriculture industry’s success story,” said ANZ Agri researcher, Madeleine Swan.

"Many women have been isolated from the broader industry as ‘silent’ participants on farms, however that trend is slowly changing, as more women gain qualifications in agriculture and related disciplines, and the workforce shifts to an increased formal, paid participation from women.

“With recent federal government changes to the funding for agriculture courses in Australia, there has never been a better time for young women to get into the industry.”

The report also stated that based on current trends, there are likely to be at least another 48,000 jobs in the Australian agriculture sector by 2030. Of those, 27,000 are likely to be women and 14,000 expected to fill management positions.

View ANZ Agri’s full