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GENDER ISSUES ON AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT
1. Gender Roles in Agribusiness
1.1 Traditional Roles
Women have for long been assigned a limited role in agribusiness; even where they engage in
planting, weeding and even harvesting, men dominate in the aspects of ownership of the land and
decision making processes that are related to it (Doss et al. , 2018). This division of labor not
only narrows women‟s economic opportunities in the communities but also reinforces historical
gender imbalances in rural areas. The following are some of the ways through which women
have been marginalized; Women have been denied access to important necessities like credit,
training, and appropriate technologies for agricultural practices (FAO, 2021). As a result, female
employees in agribusiness are locked in the poverty-peonage, and are yet again stifled from
achieving their potential. While striving to change these roles, particular attention should be paid
to the promotion of the status and the valuation of women‟s work in the sphere of functioning
agribusiness. This implies that empowering a woman to fully engage in decision-making and to
benefit from the engagement in agricultural activities as his male counterpart starts eradicating
gender disparities (Chopra, 2018). Women in agribusiness empowering has measures that
include availing of financial services that fit their credit needs, supporting capacity development
of their training needs and products that boost productivity on farms. Not only do these
intervention enhance women‟s capacities to earn income, the down-stream effect enhances the
general capacity of the farming sector by optimizing utilization of the human-resource – women.
However, changing the perception of people in the society on gender issue in terms of the
participation of women in farming is essential. Awareness creation through conducting training
sessions on the impact that gender equality has on the growth of women‟s employment
opportunities enhances their representation in the sector. Strengthening important facets of
stakeholders‟ reflection on specific misconceptions, farmers can encourage the reduction of
prejudice and the integration of women into farming systems and decision-making techniques.
Lastly, to adequately shift traditional and structural gender bias otherwise deeply rooted in
agribusiness industries, there is a need to decipher structural barriers and barriers that lead to the
discouragement of women in the sector as well as their slow promotion. Given that women are
locked out of most decision-making processes on the use of available resources, as well as the
fair distribution of opportunities, it will be important to empower women in agribusiness for
better and more durable rural economies.
1.2 Modern Shifts
Contemporary developments in agribusiness are gradually eradicating gender stereotyping thus
promoting equality with emerging gender mainstream. It is evident that more women are
involved in all the aspects in the agribusiness value chain ranging from production, processing,
marketing and managing of the product (Elias & Arora-Jonsson2017). These changes are
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accompanied by increased awareness of technology and better education, which enables women
to play leadership roles and significantly participate in the sector (Huyer & Westholm, 2018).
Technology in the form of digitally thus enabled tools and also interfaces is critical in this
change as it thereby expands women‟s access to markets, credit and hence information on
agriculture. These instruments not only increase the levels of productiveness and revenues but
also enhance women‟s capacities in the sphere of agribusiness (Malapit et al. , 2019). By
building on these accomplishments, women have been confining the prejudice of the past and
gaining more monetary emancipation and recognition. The effects of these changes are not only
the positive improvement of the individual‟s authority in the company; moreover, they lead to
the organizational resistance against adversities that affect agribusinesses (Fontana & Paciello,
2018). It is similar with women as they occupy higher positions; they introduce a variety of
views and novelty that makes the farming culture and analysis of problems more valuable. Such
a difference hence enhances the sector‟s ability to deal with problems that are ahead such as
climate change and also fluctuating markets. However, for these shifts to yield their full
potential, ongoing support in that direction through appropriate policies, training and funding
more and more oriented to women‟s needs (Kabeer & Datta, 2020). Other recommendations
therefore include; assembling polices that enhance women‟s access to land, finance, and also
technology as a means of realizing their potential in the emerging opportunities in agribusiness.
Acquisition of human capital that provides technical know-how as well as business knowledge
prepares the women to compete in the agricultural markets. Therefore, through the enshrinement
of friendly policies as well as investments in creating the right environment for change to occur,
there are so many benefits that can accrue from the cause of gender equality in the advancement
of value chain activities in the agricultural business.
1.3 Leadership Positions
This the gender inequality in the various leadership positions in the agribusiness is acting as a
major challenge. Although the women contribute a lot in farming several barriers limit their
shifts to leadership positions such as culture, education and networking (Beaman et al. , 2019).
They further handicap the growth of women in their respective professions and at the same time
impede the sector‟s potential to harness the richness of diverse skills and viewpoints. The facts
obtained by the research state that companies having gender equal leadership teams are more
effective and efficient in terms of providing services to the clients along with being more
innovative and struggling less to solve organizational problems (Carter & May, 2019).
Strengthening women‟s representation at management levels of organizations provides practical
solutions to the challenges facing agribusinesses and can lead to improved decision-making,
particularly, the incorporation of the needs and perspectives of the various stakeholders into the
relevant decision making processes (Njuki et al. , 2016). Some measures that have been
implemented in an attempt at dealing with these barriers include, special training that has also
been encouraged and special mentorship for women within the agribusiness industries. These
initiatives apart from developing leadership skills also foster relations that can help the candidate
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to progress to higher ranks (Banerjee & Duflo, 2018). Also, the policies on gender differentiation
in leadership positions are vital in developing situations where women are given equal chances to
grow and produce lots of results (Oduol et al. , 2017). Diversity empowers more people to pursue
leadership opportunities, and thus, agribusinesses can benefit from the diverse ideas and
solutions. The issues of women in leadership positions are not only advantageous to the women
leveling up their personal capacities but also turn out to be of a great benefit to the strengthening
of resiliency of agribusiness enterprises in view of challenges and opportunities. It can be
therefore postulated that the issues outlined in this study are however not only a matter of justice
and also equal opportunities, but also crucial for tapping more effectively the sector‟s potentials
and hence responding to challenges of developing more inclusive economy.
1.4 Gender Stereotypes
The gender stereotyping evident in the representations of women in the sector remain an
authoritative and persistent limitation to the realization of women‟s capacity and contribution to
the development of the sector. Such stereotyping which paints women as unsuitable to undertake
managerial or technical jobs in the facets of agriculture prevents them from promotion as well as
hinders them from equal chances at employment (Tavenner & Crane, 2019). Largely, cultural or
even stereotypical prejudices are accepted in the society, and, therefore, they promote the
subordinate position of women, their role being assigned only with performing non-professional
work at home (Cornwall, 2018). The removal of these prejudices involves taking a longer-term,
multilateral approach by providing information to people, employing mass media to spread
consciousness, and through policy changes meant to change mind-setting about women‟s roles in
running the affairs of agribusiness (Rao, 2017). This component thus familiarizes the target
audience with the realities of women‟s participation in agriculture and also dismisses stereotypes
about their activities. Awareness campaigns may help to advance women inclusiveness in
agribusiness by increasing people‟s recognition of gender diversity and the achievements of
women professionals in this field (Rezai-Rashti and Moghadam, 2019). The latter also requires
the latter: Targeted programs for women are also crucial. These programs should thereby center
on; technical knowledge, leadership, and hence self-assertion among females in the sector of
agribusiness. Inasmuch as such initiatives empower women by providing them with the
necessary tools, and then supporting them to thrive, they also afford to push the overall economic
growth and stability of the rural regions (Schneider, 2018). Policy intercessions moreover play
an important role in the further promotion of the practice of gender equality in the sphere of
agribusiness. Public strategies that aim at providing parity in education and training, financing,
and leadership positions for the female gender will help the women interested in participating in
the sector to be able to do so effectively (Rao, 2017). By therefore applying and observing such
measures, different stakeholders are able to deal with the structural factors that keep the γ gender
stereotype and regression of females in agribusiness going. Therefore, changing the traditional
gender influence in agribusiness involves; eradicating gender stereotypes in various aspects.
Through assertively altering people‟s perceptions, positively catering for the women, and
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encouraging implementable policies and measures, the various societies can enhance the
promotion of women in the sector of agribusiness and boost the sustainable development aspect
in the agribusiness sector while acknowledging the need to accomplish equity and fairness to all
the shareholders involved.
2. Access to Resources
2.1 Land Ownership
Tenure continues to therefore decide food portfolios despite its enormous influence in
agriculture; still, women face stringent challenges. In many areas, women faces legal barriers and
social practices that deny them the ability to own or even inherit land to be used in agricultural
ventures (Kilic et al. , 2020). This unfairness also threatens the economic security of females and
reduces their power dynamics within homes and societies (Cattaneo and Robinson, 2021). In this
regard, the attainment of gender equality in the sector depends more on the right to land for
female iterators. It is toward such an attempt that policies supportive of and protective of
women‟s‟ rights to land ownership are important steps in that direction. Societies can remove
barriers that discriminate women and eliminate legal constraints, which would help improve
women‟s economic status and their involvement in agricultural sectors (FAO, 2020). These
policies help to thereby contribute to improving the conditions of more tolerant farming systems
by considering women‟s potential in food security. It is thus equally important to have
complementing processes in offering legal aid and also raising awareness on the issues related to
rights in land. Educating women on their legal rights and enabling them to access justice helps in
avoiding issues as regard land rights (Mishra & Sam, 2018). Hearing and educating women the
legal procedures makes them more equipped to fight for their respective power within the
community, as well as being more equipped to go for the resources needed in farming such as
land. Practical measures to resolve the aforementioned problem should be thus multi-faceted and
also involve changes in legislation, attitudes, and hence programs. Hence, it is within the civil
society‟s capacity to pull down legal impediments, defy unfavorable norms, and equip women
with tools and information to optimally participate in agribusiness. Promoting women‟s right to
land provides better economic opportunities as well as improves on volatile agricultural systems
in the world.
2.2 Financial Services
Financial services are therefore important for the effectiveness of operations in the agribusiness
environment, but women thus face various obstacles in this area relative to men. These hurdles
are providing of collateral, illiteracy of financial markets and gender prejudice that exist in the
financial sector (Ali & Rahman, 2019). Such barriers are common in NNW, excluding women
from the chances of getting the credit and financial products, which they need to avail and
expand their agriculture businesses (Brody at al. , 2017). They all need to be solved and this
requires a more complex solution. First and foremost, there is the need to ensure that several
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financial products aimed at catering for women in the agribusiness sector are produced to fit the
current needs. These products can include the following: i) Affordable and Microcredit‟s
products every for flexible repayment schedule and low barter terms which help to meet the
exigencies of female entrepreneurship given their constraints in access to finance (Kabeer, 2018).
Further, a number of organizations and institutions should ensure that women receive appropriate
financial literacy training in order to enable them perform various financial activities as per the
laid down practices. Besides, the product innovation and education, it is essential to address
gender issues through policies in place in SFIs. When formulated, such policies should endeavor
to get rid of unequal treatment or bias towards women clients especially considering their
friendly over treatment that can give them a fair shot at accessing businesses and financial
services to uplift their financial status (Besley & Persson, 2018). In this way, basic financial
policies thus promote women‟s participation in agribusiness and also make a large contribution
to improving the situation in the agricultural sector. Enhancing women‟s access to financial
services not only for specific authorities of the business ladies but also has other positive effects
on the definite segments of the agribusiness domain. Better access can bring about relative
opportunities for increased revenue, efficiency and capabilities; and innovation; improve
women‟s economic chances, thereby paving way for sustainable development on the rural
sectors (Besley & Persson, 2018). Therefore, closing the gap in providing financial services to
women in a business marked in agriculture needs collective action from all stakeholders. When
interested stakeholders ensure the provision of gender-oriented financial services through
products‟, education, and policies, women are placed in a favorable position to contribute to
entrepreneurship and agriculture commodities.
2.3 Training and Education
Awareness raising and grooming through training and education are crucial in empowering the
women and giving them chance to succeed at agribusiness and farming however they are favored
compared to men regarding access to the training programs (Smith et al. , 2018). These
disparities limit women‟s capacity to innovate and buy improved technologies, raise output, and
progress in the sector (FAO, 2021). Closing this gap through helping women gain training and
education, as their male counterparts do, is crucial for increasing women‟s positive roles in the
area of agribusiness (Oxfam, 2020). It was recommended that particular emphasis should be
placed on programs of skill enhancement, entrepreneurship and leadership training programs
particularly designed for women in the context of developing countries (Gammage et al. , 2016).
Such programs do not only improve sophistication in technical skills but also in confidence and
good strategies which are key ingredients for success in the agribusiness venture. In addition,
enhancing training environments through targeted arrangements regarding women‟s issues will
improve learning process and increases training productivity (ILO, 2018). Examples may hence
be the creation of such environments such as flexible working hours, childcare help, and course
curriculum that may be more suitable for women‟s duties. The results of promoting women‟s
education and training are several folds for agribusinesses and rural economies. While investing
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in women‟s capability to navigate the market operating conditions to create more competitive
products, businesses are also able to harness exceptional boosts in productivity (Njuki et al. ,
2016). Besides, education for women yields positive impacts on their economic productivity,
improves their bargaining power in the homes, and achieves other societal development
components. In conclusion, anyway the education and training gap for women in the sector has
to be closed; it is only achievable through more efforts aimed to the elimination of barriers and
implementation of gender equal policies. It is, therefore, virtually within tangible grasp of the
various stakeholders to fully tap the potentials of women in the development of innovation and
productivity gains within the agricultural value chain.
2.4 Technology Use
Disposability of technology in agribusiness is very likely to enhance the rate of productivity and
performance, while paradoxically; women face various challenges when it comes to the use of
technology. The causes of gender disparities in technology access are; lack of monetary funds,
low education levels, and social barriers that prevent women from using technology (Agarwal,
2020). These factors limit women from optimizing on the opportunities offered by technologies
in agriculture thus continue to experience set back in the sector (Huyer & Westholm, 2018).
Solving these problems thereby requires specific interventions that would call for equal
provisions of technologies for women in the agribusiness sector. Some of the strategies thus
include; offering affordable and also technically simplifying technologies for women and hence
thoroughly understanding their functionality based on women‟s ability. Also, there is the need to
provide specific training sessions for women in order to increase their levels of digital literacy
and their abilities to employ technologies in agriculture efficiently (FAO, 2021). The above
interventions not only enable women to learn and acquire knowledge in the use of technology by
implementing it in their farming systems but also enhance their capacity to change and meet new
market challenges (Kabeer & Datta, 2020). Also, eradicating cultural values that play down
women‟s utilization of ICTs must be pursued vigorously. Through supporting such mind-set
changes and combating cultures that suppress women‟s technology engagement, societies can
mobilize women to seize and deploy technology in agribusiness improvement (Malapit et al. ,
2019). Promoting a better position of women through technologies increases their chances in the
labor market as well as the efficiency of agricultural systems in the face of emerging difficulties
such as climate change and food shortages (Malapit et al. , 2019). Thus, equal rights in the use of
technology within the framework of activities in the field of agribusiness can only be achieved
through the joint and persistent efforts to overcome the financial, educational, and cultural
gender gap. In this manner, agribusinesses can therefore ensure women have access to
appropriate technology and also training and establish supporting environment to guarantee that
women are not only adopting and applying innovations but also driving the change for
improvement of agricultural systems and hence outcomes.
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3. Policy and Regulation
3.1 Government Policies
Topical policies in this sector, provides the preference of the government in advancing gender
equity in the sector. To decrease or eliminate gender gaps in the sector, the following key
strategies are designed: rights, resources, voices; Women-friendly policies, women‟s rights, and
equal opportunities should be the general guidelines of the sector‟s policies. Although, the
existing policies do not address the gender dimension or address the problems of women
identifiable in the theme of agribusiness (Chopra, 2018). In light of this, governments must
develop gender politics that will overhaul the impairment of women‟s freedom in their quests for
decent jobs (Rao & Sweetman, 2018). This involves government policies for women in the
provision of land, credit and other services of education and technologies among others (Saito et
al. , 2020). Also, it is suggested that the governments should involve women and women‟s
organizations in policy-making procedures to hear their perspectives and address their issues
(Cornwall , 2018). When governments incorporate and implement policies that sensitive to
gender, it helps eradicate vices that limit the probabilities of agribusiness enlightening and
opening an equal environment for both male and female (Kabeer, 2018). Policies formulated by
governments partly explain gender rights in areas of agribusiness. For gender inequalities in the
sector to be addressed, there is the need to enact policies supporting women‟s rights, resources
and inclusion in decision-making protocols (Quisumbing et al. , 2019). Nevertheless, most of the
existing policies support gender blindness or do not include differential factors governing women
in the sector of agribusiness (Chopra, 2018). Hence, to achieve gender equality, governments
should ensure policies applicable cater for female‟s requirements and limitations (Rao &
Sweetman, 2018). These include policies that address disparities concerning and grant; women‟s
rights to land, credit, education, and technology among other facets of life (Saito et al. , 2020).
However, women‟s organizations should be involved in the formulation of policies by
governments to allow them air their views on the same (Cornwall, 2018). Kabeer (2018) sense it
that through implementing such gender sensitive policies and standards, the governments can
pave way for a better and responsible status for women in the arena of agribusiness.
3.2 International Agreements
There are thus various government policies that have an influence on gender equality issues in
the operation of agribusiness. Therefore, strategies for enhancing women‟s rights, resource
endowment, and decision-making roles are crucial for reversing the Gender-DOT (Quisumbing
et al. , 2019) in sector. However, many of the existing policy measures suggested are
androgynous in nature or lack sufficient cognizance of some of the difficulties experienced by
women in the sector of agribusiness (Chopra, 2018). In order to achieve goals set by the SDGs,
governments should introduce the gender-sensitive politics that focuses on the challenges women
face (Rao & Sweetman, 2018). This entails policies that keep the employment of women,
provisions for credits, land, education, and technology among other aspects (Saito et al. , 2020).
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Moreover, women and women‟s organizations must be involved in policy making forums so that
they can be heard and ensure that their issues are aired as well Cornwall 2018. Appropriate
gender-sensitive policies as well as their regulation within the framework of agribusiness
activities can contribute to the establishment of equal conditions for both sexes (Kabeer, 2018).
In this context, bilateral and multilateral relations and agreements and references in international
legislation assist in gender equality in the industry at the foreign level due to guidelines on norms
for the national level. International instruments like CEDAW and SDGs champion the cause of
gender equity and women‟s participation in human endeavors including agriculture (FAO, 2020).
These agreements compel the countries to formulate policies and mechanisms favorable to
women‟s rights and the eradication of gender inequalities in agriculture (Agarwal, 2020).
However, the finalization of such agreements at the national level encounters several factors such
as poor political will, shortage of resource and cultural barriers (Eerdewijk et al. , 2018). For this
purpose, there is a need to build the capacity of governments and institutions to lead the
implementation of international commitments on GESI and inclusively incorporate gender
equality across the agriculture-related institutions (F Kitchen & M Doss, 2018). Besides,
implementation of international cooperation and also knowledge exchange may hence help
countries to realize gender equality in the sphere of agricultural business. As Kabeer (2018)
noted, the encouragement of such policies and their application across sectors as well as the
elimination of barriers to women‟s representation in agribusiness, governments are in a position
to transform the sector into a more egalitarian setting. The papers of CEDAW and the SDGs,
among others, consider gender equality and women‟s rights to access farming (FAO, 2020).
These agreements therefore elicit compliance of countries to the principles of women‟s rights
and also equity for female players in the agricultural sector.
3.3 Gender-Sensitive Policies
Policies formulated and implemented by governments in the various countries explain the level
of gender equity in the sector. It is crucial to encourage women‟s ability to exercise rights, obtain
resources, and be involved in decision-making as key approaches toward progressive change in
the sector (Quisumbing et al. , 2019). However, there are still many policies and acts that either
do not address gender at all or do not consider the situation of gender in the agricultural sector
(Chopra, 2018). To enhance gender equality in leadership, governments must adopt polices‟ and
measures that enhance women‟s situation (Rao & Sweetman, 2018). Policies that enable
consideration of these issues for women should thus be put in place to enhance the challenges
that women in agribusiness face. These policies take into account developmental variability and
women‟s special circumstances, needs and opportunities in order to guarantee them similar rights
to men, particularly in the use of resources, training and decision making (Rao & Sweetman,
2018). For example, accommodation for gender in agricultural policies could entail special
support in any of the following; distribution of land, credit, and technical knowledge on farming
among women crop farmers (FAO, 2020). They are thereby useful in ensuring that women rise
to the occasion and also be in a better position to enhance productive the agricultural by
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increasing productivity and hence the economic growth of the nation. Mainstreaming gender
involves having a clear understanding of the gender relations in the community involved in
agriculture and involving women to establish what they need and wish to have (Kabeer, 2018).
Furthermore, the constant review and assessment of these policies are vital to guarantee that it is
reducing the gaps and advancing women‟s rights (Quisumbing et al. , 2019). Therefore, by
creating welcoming policy environments, governments and organizations are capable of
enhancing the status of women within the sector of agribusiness greatly (Saito et al. , 2020). In
this case, gender equality in agribusiness depends on the international agreements that may either
encourage or discourage gender parity or offer provisions to enhance its attainment in the
country. Treaties like CEDAW and SDGs state that gender equality and women‟s rights will
have to be upheld, both in politics and in practices like agriculture (FAO, 2020). These
agreements thus help to pressurize the countries into implementing measures that support women
through the rights and also equity in the sector of agriculture and hence food business (Agarwal,
2020). However, the putting into action of these agreements at the national level sometimes
encounter some factors that may include; {"forced"} political will, sufficient resource, and
culture (Eerdewijk et al. , 2018).
3.4 Advocacy and Lobbying
Policies in this sector thus demonstrate the government‟s commitment to, or lack of, gender
equitable opportunities for women in the agricultural value chain. For that reason, a study by
(Quisumbing et al. , 2019)reveals that gender equality in the sector requires policies that support
women‟s rights and also leadership, their access to resources, and hence their representation in
leadership roles. Nevertheless, most of the prevailing policies are either devoid of any sex
differential or do not address the real issues of women in agribusiness (Chopra, 2018).
Governments should, therefore, ensure that they adherence to gender-sensitive policies that will
help in addressing the issues of women as they face certain limitations (Rao & Sweetman, 2018).
To supplement this fundamental observation, the following recommendations are thus preferred
for future research: Enhancing gender-sensitive policies for the needs of women engaged in
agribusiness ventures. Such policies take into account the sex, rather the gender, and the
dynamics of the women, in relation to the available opportunities and challenges, and in granting
resources, training, or decision-making power (Rao & Sweetman, 2018). For example, gender-
responsive measures in agricultural initiatives could include promoting programs for women in
ownership and land management; supply of credit facilities; and trainings (FAO, 2020). To
provide social protection it is crucial to adopt gender-sensitive policies that will be explained in
the following sections Empowering women means increasing their capacity to achieve what they
want to achieve and gender-sensitive policies will definitely empower women, but the barriers
are that its implementation can be challenging if one does not understand the gender dynamics in
a community that is involved in agriculture , and secondly one have to engage the women so that
they can define their needs and aspirations . It is therefore evident that advocacy and also
lobbying are thus vital strategies in the fight for enhancing gender equity in the sector of
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agribusiness. They look more at bringing about change in policy-making processes, popularizing
gender matters and rallying support in the form of funding, human and material resources in
support of women in agriculture (Cornwall, 2018). Some important advocacy campaign themes
therefore include; the roles that women play in agribusiness and also the challenges they
experience so as to ensure that efforts are made in supporting gender mainstreaming policies
(Eerdewijk et al. , 2018). Lobbying is a process of advocating for legislative and regulatory
amendments in governmental and organizational institutions through the use of persuasion,
negotiation and other means to make changes that will enhance advocacy of women‟s rights
(Rao & Sweetman, 2018). As a result, legal professional practice implies the involvement of
different stakeholders and actors such as women‟s groups, non-governmental organizations, and
communities (Doss et al. , 2018). These collaborative approaches thus help trigger policy change
and also more financial commitments to women‟s initiatives in commercial agriculture.
4. Economic Impacts
4.1 Income Disparities
Another problem that is deeply rooted in gender gaps is inequalities in the income earnings of
men and women especially in the sector of agribusiness due to differential resource endowment,
education, and access to market opportunities. Researches from various authors indicates and
also support the fact that women are paid lower than their male counterparts for similar job and
are also over-represented in the lower earning occupations in the AVA (Agarwal, 2020). To
eliminate such discriminations there has to be proposed initiatives which focus on equal
remuneration for equal work, educational and training enhancement of women, and fair and
social justice provision of basic needs such as land, credit, and technology among others (Oxfam,
2020). Both countries‟ laws require employers to pay men and women equal wages for equal
work, which should be actively enforced and promoted in the field of agribusiness. This means
that in addition to legislation, there are thus efforts to transform cultures and also perceptions on
gender in employment. Educational intervention is very important since it equips women in the
aspects of employment enough to secure other leadership positions within the field of
agriculture. It is important to note that gender-sensitive training initiatives designed for women
can go a long way in filling existing skills‟ gaps and enhance women‟s marketability (FAO,
2021). In the promotion of women‟s economic development in the area of interest, basic inputs
such as land and credits for enhanced production. Procedures that guarantee women‟s property
rights to land and those that guarantee fair terms that offer them credit to help them scale up
production will significantly help them increase their productivity levels. Moreover, new
methodological technologies can improve productivity and profitability in the field, if only
women can readily get the necessary equipment (Smith et al. , 2018). Equal importance should
be paid to women‟s entrepreneurship promotion as well as the provision of access to markets.
The concepts of entrepreneurship which adapt to females‟ needs can contribute to the innovative
processes and development of local economies. Markets, both local and global, provide
opportunities that lead to growth of women‟s businesses and therefore the growth of their
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incomes which in turn leads to increased economic development (Kabeer & Datta, 2020).
Income inequalities also reduce women‟s economic resilience, besides promoting stability and
also prosperity of communities most affected by such injustices. In contrast to their male
counterparts, women are more likely to invest the money they earn back into their families‟
health and education, as well as their communities, stimulating further economic growth (Kabeer
& Datta, 2020). When proper measures are taken to address these disparities, agribusiness will
effectively through utilization and replenishment of human capital, thus cause measurable
advances in growth and equality in the economy.
4.2 Employment Opportunities
It is vital for the women‟s economic advancement and for the further development of the whole
sector as well that more spaces for employment are being created for women in agribusiness.
However, women often face massive challenges when seeking employment opportunities and
starts with prejudice in hiring, lack of education and training, and prevailing cultural practices
that prefer male employment (Brody et al. , 2017). For the purpose of increasing the employment
opportunities of women in the identified area of occupation, initiatives are needed. Such
strategies should thereby aim at increasing women‟s employment by increasing the rate of direct
hires and engagement. Training and education have the most important support function as they
provide women with all the necessary knowledge to work in various positions in the framework
of agricultural business, from direct participation in the cultivation of crops and livestock to
management (FAO, 2020; ILO, 2018). Training and building the capacity ensure that women are
equipped to be productive as well as improving organizations‟ competitiveness in the sector.
Creating safe and supportive environment at the workplace is also equally important. In the case
of women, they are exposed to several risks and susceptibility in their workplaces within the
agribusiness industry and for this reason; the structure of their working environment should be
protective of their wellbeing (Smith et al. , 2018). Meeting these concerns not only safeguards
women‟s interests but also contributes to the healthy environment of women in their professions
and their career sustainability in the industry. Diversity brings talent at one place, increases
creativity and in turn fosters innovation among the employees and the organization (Elias &
Arora-Jonsson, 2017). Also, promoting women employment has other positive domino effects on
women‟s families and hence the entire society. Consequently, girls‟ employment means
enhanced household revenues, better child health care and education, and the overall growth of
the community (Besley & Persson, 2018). Thus, there is no better way of preparing for and
encouraging women employment in the agro-food sector than to embrace the notion that it‟s not
only a fair thing to do, however it is a sound business practice that the sector can ill afford to
ignore. Through removing hindrances, offering focused efforts, and guaranteeing right working
relation that help women to give their best to organizations, a fruitful agriculture business can be
achieved thus boosting up productivity, innovation and many more over sociopolitical,
economical dimensions.
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4.3 Market Access
Markets, which remain a critical quarry for women engaging in agribusiness, are almost
inconceivable due to difficult constraints that are put in place to lock out women. Some of these
challenges entail restricted mobility, low awareness of market information as well as market
prejudices and discriminations ( Njuki et al. , 2016). Pursuing these results, calls for specific
strategies promoting women‟s capacity with the purpose of altering competitive structures in
markets. Since enhancing market access is the focus of women, it is correct to empower them
with tools and information. Educational schemes like offering market information and training
help empower women in their capacity to transact in the market by way of improving market
information (Kabeer, 2018). Older and equally as important is making the overall environments
conducive for the enhancement of the transport networks and the markets where women will be
able to be mobile to participate in the markets (FAO, 2021). Although one might not support
these claims, it remains evident that backing the women‟s cooperatives and networks is central in
enhancing their market voice. These social platforms of women do not only create the sense of
unity among women, but also increase their negotiating power and combined ability to negotiate
with markets in a more equal way (Kabeer, 2018). The policies that address especially gender
discrimination and guarantee women‟s rights to land and other resources to bargain fairly for
their products are important in creating balance (FAO, 2021). Improving women‟s access to
markets entails improving productivity for specific individual women but at the same time
improving the overall competitiveness and profitability of agribusiness. By ensuring women are
included more appropriately in value chains the businesses benefit from a blend of skills from
the female lenses which boosts innovation and productivity (Malapit et al. , 2019). Besides,
ensuring level playing ground for women in markets furthers the cause of realizing the inclusive
and stronger agricultural systems. This inclusiveness helps in supporting sustainable
development goals; and reducing poverty in rural households since it increases income levels and
stability in the rural economy (Quisumbing et al. , 2019; Saito et al. , 2020). Therefore,
promoting market-related opportunities for women in agricultural business is not only a question
of enhancing women financial status; it is also a question of empowering women in order to
expand the agricultural business with long-term sustainability. Challenges and support programs
should thus be used to address such factors to enable women entrepreneurs to bring out the best
in them to benefit both the agribusiness firms and other socio-economic developments.
4.4 Value Chains
Women‟s engagement thus involves several processes of the value chain ranging from
production, processing, and also marketing (Fontana and Paciello, 2018). Thus, although women
hold significant positions within the labor market, they face numerous challenges that hence limit
the extent of their engagement and the achievement of fair outcomes. Others include; the
constraints in available resource including land and finance, lack of appropriate training, and
discriminating practices that are deeply rooted in agriculture related issues (Elias & Arora-
13
Jonsson, 2017). To overcome these challenges, specific measures have to be thereby
implemented that could ensure the promotion of the women into the value chains. Efforts should
be focused on increasing availability of credit, offering relevant training, as well as increasing
gender-sensitive policies and practices to foster better women‟s economic outcomes (Agarwal,
2020). Just like it is stated in this research paper, women‟s engagement in agricultural value
chains has multiple impacts. This increases the output since women‟s skills and knowledge are
utilized, thus increasing the competitiveness and viability of the agribusinesses (FAO, 2020).
Also, the economic empowerment of women through value chain enhances fairness in the
economy by contributing to the improvement of living standards across the households and the
entire community (Kabeer, 2018). That women are being absorbed into the agricultural value
chains is not just a social concern but a sound economic policy. It enhances the attainment of the
sustainable development goals because it taps on yet unrealized growth opportunities increases
the involvement of the population in the economic process (Malapit et al. , 2019). However, if all
women are allowed a meaningful say in the management of their agribusinesses and producers
take deliberate steps to break barriers that hinder women‟s involvement, these key sectors will be
on talking tones of a much-required socio-economic transformation.
5. Social and Cultural Barriers
5.1 Cultural Norms
These norms define proper women‟s conduct, their travel and organizers‟ permission to work in
and on agriculture (Cornwall, 2018). For example, existing culture dictates that women‟s role is
to perform house chores, instead of participating in income generating activities that may include
participating in agricultural business (Doss et al. , 2018). To address these deeply rooted cultural
practices, that require change in social perceptions of women and girls, a comprehensive effort
which incorporates community mobilization, awareness creation and selective socialization
geared towards enhancing the standing of women in the community (FAO, 2020). The
community engagements focus a lot in the development of awareness and the recognition on the
importance of the gender equality in agriculture and other call for change for stakeholders to
change their unjust limited roles between males and females. Education interventions are a
critical means by which women are equipped with knowledge and skills, changing perceptions,
and increasing the possibilities in the sphere of agribusiness (Rao & Sweetman, 2018). Due to
the perceptions created about people with disabilities and because most organizations have
influence on cultural development, agribusinesses can play a Pivotal role to ensure the
improvement of such perception by creating employment opportunities and altering stereotypes.
As described in this literature review, the improvement of women‟s status in the workplaces,
industries and the society at large will increase productivity as well promote agricultural
sustainability (FAO, 2020). The following policies can expand the culture of equity embedded in
the norms and practices of the agribusiness industry: policies that advance women‟s economic
independence, the provision of more resources for women, and policies that strengthen the
decision-making powers of women. Therefore, the cultural change for the advancement of
14
women in the sector of agribusiness is more than a moral responsibility, it is a practical need that
serves the strategic execution of the sustainable development agenda. With the help of stereotype
defeat, the focus on the inclusiveness of practices, and the support for women‟s rights,
agribusinesses may create an overall improvement in the social realm of development together
with the economic prosperity for the communities and societies.
5.2 Family Responsibilities
Career of working women especially in the agro-food sector is arranged in a way that they hardly
can fully meet their career prospect alongside managing their family affairs like cleaning,
childcare, and elderly care, which keeps them from optimizing their activities in economic
sectors (Oxfam, 2020). Such dual responsibilities thereby not only provide women with minimal
time and also energy, but they also reduce the women‟s chances of advancement, promotions,
and hence leadership positions in the sector. Meeting these challenges require that human, social
and organizational capital policies and programs should effectively enhance work-life balance of
women in the agribusiness. Work flexibilities such as part-time working options or working from
home could make it possible for the women to balance on their working and family needs (Smith
et al. , 2018). Taking care of children is considered as one of the fundamental needs that are
highly associated with women‟s engagement in agricultural practices through provision of
quality and affordable child care services as key aspects of social infrastructure (FAO, 2021).
Further, the equal distribution of chores within a home is thus crucial for the reduction of the
women‟s burden and also the encouragement of participation in the agribusiness business.
Promoting gender representation in governance means; encouraging women to contest for
leadership and careers through, putting in place mechanisms to lessen the burden of young
children or elderly parents that is likely to be meted on them by their husbands or other male
relatives hence finding time and strength to go for leadership positions (Besley & Persson, 2018).
Thus, the viable strategies for agribusinesses are to ensure that women‟s caregiving tasks are
valued and supported by the company. Employing opportunities in supportive environments and
possibility inclusive practices help not only improve women‟s efficiency and psychological
health in the workforce but additionally have a positive impact on the general economic
development of the country and rural areas in specific (FAO, 2021). Hence, to advance the value
addition of the female gender in the agribusiness, issues to do with family responsibilities have to
be effectively worked on. Thus, by supporting the implementation of facilitating conditions and
calling for fair share of households‟ care-work, agribusinesses can help women to become fully
productive and supportive for the sector‟s further development and improve rural development in
general.
5.3 Community Expectations
Gender roles in the context of community standards affect opportunities in agribusiness since
expectations are often driven by traditional ideological frameworks that suppress women‟s
ambition and block their chances at attaining leadership (Rao, 2017). Such expectations generate
15
social cultures or pressures and resistance any time female gender attempts to seek non-
conventional work in agriculture or authority. Changing the culture that has been in practice for
many years, calls for special efforts designed to fight gender stereotypes and to influence
women‟s leadership potential. Measures should comprise awareness raising and communication
projects to promote gender dividends in agriculture, along with the profiles of successful women
(Eerdewijk et al. , 2018). In Erakat et al. (2019), it was pointed out that educational campaigns
based on the recruitment of constructive attitudes and spokespeople change the social context of
agri-business for women for the better, so it is necessary to conduct discursive interactions with
community leaders, referents, and members. Supporting women as the agents of change, has a
strategic mandate of advocating for change in the communities through challenging of the
existing structures that favor the subjection of women in the agribusiness sector. In this way,
commitment to enhancing women‟s leadership and ensuring access to the loudspeaker,
agribusinesses can help dismantle the changes and open the doors for women in the sector
(Oduol et al. , 2017). Fostering more welcoming and open communities that welcome women
and are receptive to the work they do not only benefits the overall societal relations, but also
boosts the productivity of the rural economy by adapting the greatest number of abilities and
ideas. On this basis, it is possible to state that gender-sensitive practices in employment can be
realized only if Southern countries demand them from agribusinesses while the latter can become
an active actor of changing the culture with the help of its own policies and practices. Hence, SD
can be achieved by offering women opportunities to be successful in leadership positions in
involved businesses for not only enhancing organizational business resilience and innovation but
also for unlocking development potential for the disadvantaged communities in the agricultural
fields (Eerdewijk et al. , 2018). Therefore, the socialization process of community values and
perception is crucial in promoting women‟s equality and prosperity in the agriculture business
sectors. Through empowering women, involving them into the gender parity programs, and
supporting women leaders in agribusiness organizations and companies, agribusiness plays an
important role in shaping better and more tolerant organizational environment in agriculture
which in its turn can increase individual, community and economic returns.
5.4 Social Networks
A lot of women rely on social networks to get resources and information for agribusiness though
they are limited in terms of access to both formal and informal networks than men therefore their
career and promotion mobility is restricted (Njuki et al. , 2016). Building on these networks
needs deliberate strategies of conceptualizing avenues for networking, apprenticeship, and
partnership of the women in agriculture. Strategies that support the peer-to-peer support, skills
building, and knowledge engagement can reduce exclusion and increase the awareness of the
women within the various societies and the farming industry (Malapit et al. , 2019). Through the
promotion of interactions between women, such measures contribute to the strengthening of
social capital and enhance the women‟s ability to overcome and address obstacles or grab
opportunities. Technology is thus used effectively to enhance women access to networks on
16
digital platforms. A feature that is equal to this in contexts of gender means that, through the use
of appropriate digital technologies, women can engage markets, assets and information flows
more effectively (Kabeer & Datta, 2020). Through social media, many women can join
discussion forums, secure training for employment and engage in e-shopping which in the case
of agribusiness expand their economic roles and social statuses. In this respect, the female
participants indicated that too many demands on time prevent women from building strong social
networks, and also the agribusinesses can hence help build structures that encourage networking.
With help of proper provision of mentoring programs, leadership trainings, and businesses-
related events, women can establish strong working networks and access important sources
(FAO, 2020). Fostering equality and diversity within those organizational systems also
strengthens the adaptability and creativity of the agricultural ecosystems undermining them
(Quisumbing et al. , 2019). Therefore, the promotion of women‟s social capital in the
agribusiness sector is critical to transforming the existing agricultural structures to enable women
to thrive. In this way, by launching communication projects, ensuring the effective interaction of
women with successful role models, and creating appropriate programs for creating an online
presence, agribusinesses will bring the efforts of women to fruition and, thus, provide sustainable
development of the economy and the rural world. Building and enhancing women‟s social capital
is advantageous not only to individual females or clients but also to the agriculture sector given
that more approaches with regard to the diversified abilities of every woman within the area will
be captured.
6. Strategies for Inclusion
6.1 Empowerment Programs
Policy recommendations related to empowerment programs that are relevant both for the
advancement of women and for successful business implementations in the agricultural sector;
the goals of such programs are to ensure that women acquire the competence and confidence
which is required to work in the agricultural environment (FAO, 2021). It is through these efforts
that the various obstacles to women are fought and they are helped to secure positions with the
various organizations in the sector. At the core of empowerment programs is the avowal of
extensive training for instance financial administration, business acumen, and farming skills.
Thus, such skills enable women to make appropriate choices, financially prudent, and increase
efficiency (Smith et al. , 2018). However, the components that focus on mentorship and
networking are also essential elements of the empowering process, forming the supportive
environment to the women who can learn, develop themselves, and communicate with the equals
and leaders (ILO, 2018). Thus, stress should be laid on the idea that empowerment programs
should meet the needs and address the concerns of women in agribusiness. These are the
programs that focus on areas such as land, credit, and market, which are the critical factors for
women‟s economic empowerment in the country‟s agriculture sector as pointed by Kabeer
(2018). Empowerment programs thus allow women to fight against the policies and also
prejudices that hinder their progress, become effective leaders and hence businessmen in the
17
sphere of agriculture. Besides, empowering the woman economically, investment on the
empowerment programs stimulates the sustainable development and societal growth within the
rural areas (Oxfam, 2020). Realizing the value of these programs in increasing women‟s role and
also representation in the management of agribusiness firms, thereby addresses the multi-fold
effects of poverty alleviation, efficient food security systems and hence overall socio-economic
community empowering. Empowering programs are thus significant for the promotion of gender
equity and hence make progress toward change in the agricultural business. Through adopting
such programs which focuses to train women in order to provide professional skills, factual
information, and assistance needed to fight through hurdles , including getting access to
opportunities that enhance positive change, such programs assists women in enhancing their
contribution to the process of sustainable development in the agricultural sector.
6.2 Education Initiatives
Education interventions are useful in enhancing women employee‟s promotion in agribusiness
by providing them with the right skills, knowledge and competencies for career enhancement and
executive positions (Elias & Arora-Jonsson, 2017). This right empowers women through;
education enhances the ability of women to take up more paid work, to engage in decision-
making processes effectively and take up better paying jobs besides promoting Agricultural
development among others (Agarwal, 2020). However, numerous challenges have been observed
to affect women education receipt where a number of schools are scarce or lacking, a number of
educational systems have gender stereotyped content, while cultures are often tilted towards
supporting boys‟ education in preference to that of girls (Doss et al. , 2018). To overcome these
barriers, and to support women‟s agribusiness success, it is highly required to promote girls‟
education and pursuing the women‟s lifelong learning opportunities. Education interventions
must focus on the development of practical knowledge and skills on the matters relating to
agriculture, female leadership and entrepreneurial culture, and the establishment of learning
structures that encourage participation as well as foster the uplifting of the female status (Njuki
et al. , 2016). With regard to gender, promotion of education for women improves the human
capital for the development of agribusiness through a skilled, more productive and adaptable
workforce for the advancement of the agriculture business and for the growth of agribusiness.
When women are empowered, they will therefore contribute in the improvement of practice in
agriculture and also increase on production. Furthermore, educated women can handle these
issues, adjust to the emerging markets and be resources to support the escalating economic
development of the rural areas. In addition to this, education has a transitional implication
influence on altering stereotyped gender roles as embraced by female employees within the
sphere of agribusiness. When women get educated, they in turn educate and lobby the society to
promote and support women‟s rights and equity in the usage of input in farming. Education
activities are thus crucial for women engagement in agriculture as well as for achieving the SD
goals in general. In this way, agribusinesses have an opportunity to bridge the educational gap,
18
enable women‟s access to education and training through promoting lifelong learning and
increase the participation of women in agriculture thus empowering them economically.
6.3 Mentorship and Support
Several scholarships have noted the importance of initiatives such as mentorship and support for
women in the enhancement of their careers as well as the promotion of leadership opportunities
in the field of agribusiness, which should be equipped with proper support, which can help to
overcome various obstacles on the way to achieving professional success among females
(Tavenner & Crane, 2019). Other beneficial structures include the involvement of mentors, both
senior working professionals as well as those in the workplace at the same level as the women;
the purpose of the mentors is to assist the women in the formation of networks and in the
acquisition of key skills (Oduol et al. , 2017). Mentorship programs should be structured in a
way that would help match the female participants with suitable mentors who could offer them
information on how it is to work in the agribusiness industry (Besley & Persson, 2018). Besides,
such programs are thus reinforcing personal development of women, as well as encouraging
communication and also information exchange among them. Mentoring policy let women, within
the community, to share their experience and progress in their career, develop their leadership
skills and increase the size of their personal and professional networks, which is a critical aspect
of women career support worldwide (FAO, 2020). In order to support women‟s mentorship
successfully, agribusiness executors and other stakeholders need to allocate resources and part of
organizational training practices and opportunities for mentorship (Malapit et al. , 2019). It
indicates a concern towards on Parity, hence the encouragement of such a scheme to increase the
number of successful women that can be produced to providing solutions to the growth of this
sector. However, training and also support from a mentor helps in increasing the understanding
of the level of fairness or unfairness in the agribusiness sector. Since extending women‟s
responsibilities and opportunities to lead and influence, decision-making processes, these
programs link and make use of a range of talent, skills, and perspective to enhance organizational
performance and achievement of sustainable development goals (FAO, 2020). The career and
also leadership support programs thus help women in increasing their career paths in
agribusiness. Agribusinesses thus do not only improve the individual career advancement, but
also contribute to the improvement of the overall staff qualifications, making their business more
resilient and competitive. Stressing the importance of mentorship therefore highlights a desire to
make agribusiness community more diverse and also empowering for women in order for them
to actively participate in economies and hence bring valuable changes to the sector.
6.4 Inclusive Business Models
Gender equality as well as social inclusion is greatly facilitated into the structures of inclusive
business models that deal with women in the operation and management of FBOs in the
agribusiness value chain from production to market (Kabeer & Datta, 2020). These models are
strategic intervention for encouraging women‟s economic activism to assist in empowering them
19
to get involved in decision-making and also benefit from the profit making agribusiness chain
(Smith et al . , 2018). The key component of managing inclusive business practices is the
engagement of women‟s cooperatives, as well as the inclusion of women business enterprises
into the value chain. Essentially, the fair wage, the safety of working conditions, and skills
development purposes in the inclusive models‟ frame of reference offer a positive prospect to the
involvement of women and their leadership in agribusiness (FAO, 2021). All these interventions
not only have a positive impact on women‟s economic status but also have poverty alleviation
and pro-poor economic development impacts within rural households (Quisumbing et al. , 2019).
Applying inclusive business models involve partnership between business firms, government
arm, and non-governmental organizations. Altogether these stakeholders can formulate and
enforcement procedures, which can eradicating challenges, combating gender disparities, and
enhancing social equity within the space of agribusiness (Oxfam, 2020). Therefore, through the
promotion of partnership as well as the strengthening of capacities of women in
entrepreneurship, inclusive models provide opportunities for livelihoods and increase the ability
of agricultural systems. Implementing the principles of IB therefore increases the sustainability
and also social returns of agribusiness enterprises. This is why it is thus vital for business actors
to unlock the hidden value of women in agricultural value chain through embracing different
people‟s opinions and hence perspectives on opportunities available for their usage to enhance
production and also productivity towards meeting market needs. In addition, the applications of
inclusive models thus enhance the creation of more sustainable supply chain connections and
hence community welfare by following communal benefits. Summing up, the IFB aimed at the
reasonable representation of women and also other minorities are therefore crucial for the further
progress of the gender equality and hence social incorporation in the agribusiness. When these
principles are incorporated into agribusinesses‟ policies and also supply systems, improved
business results are thus achieved, in addition to building a better agriculture sector that
empowers women and hence improves communities.
20
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