Íæż½ã½ã

Women still put off farming by perception it is 'unsuitable'

Women are being put off farming because of a perception that the work is unsuitable for them, according to a new Scottish Government report.

Ewan Pate
clock • 2 min read
Women still put off farming by perception it is 'unsuitable'

Women are being put off farming because of a perception that the work is unsuitable for them, according to a new Scottish Government report.

The document identified social isolation and a lack of work/life balance as two other barriers preventing them from joining the agriculture sector.

The report stems from work carried out by the Women in Agriculture Taskforce which was set up in 2017, and has been complied by the Scottish Centre for Employment Research at Strathclyde Business School.

It explores the success and impact of various initiatives in other industries seen as male-dominated, such as engineering, and examines effective ways of bringing about greater gender equality within Scottish agricultural businesses of all sizes.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: I welcome the publication of this report. Women have always played a vital role in delivering a successful agriculture sector.

Their role in agricultural businesses of all sizes is increasingly important, especially as farming businesses continue to diversify and meet the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss.

However, it is clear that there remains a lot of work to be done and this report outlines effective ways of bringing about greater gender equality within Scottish agricultural businesses and organisations with paid employees.

I would encourage agricultural business to draw on the examples in this report and play their role in bringing about gender parity in the workplace.

Key findings in the report include:

  • Agricultural businesses should improve their knowledge and understanding of equalities issues.
  • Industry-based organisations and the Scottish Government should work together to increase awareness, support and networking in agriculture and help agricultural businesses to access expertise and guidance.
  • Individuals should adopt a view that equality is everyones business and engage with their employers in advancing equality outcomes.
  • Businesses should ensure that gender equality is embedded in the formal and informal values of the business, rather than focusing on standalone initiatives.

The report can be accessed at:

SEAFIELD PEDIGREE ABERDEEN ANGUS BULLS

£±Ê°¿´¡

Barbern Pedigree Polled Hereford Bulls

£±Ê°¿´¡

Choice of 9 x 2 Year Old Pedigree Charolais

£±Ê°¿´¡

More on Farm Life

Hybu Cig Cymru announces two new board members

Hybu Cig Cymru announces two new board members

Paul Savage and Dewi Hughes have been appointed by Welsh Government as two new non-executive directors to the board of Hybu Cig Cymru

Rachael Brown
clock 26 March 2025 • 2 min read
Letters: "Non-active common land graziers have received substantial payments for doing nothing"

Letters: "Non-active common land graziers have received substantial payments for doing nothing"

D.G. Jones, from Conwy in North Wales, continues the conversation around common land grazing rights

Íæż½ã½ã
clock 25 March 2025 • 3 min read
Farming charity secures 'vital' funding from Scottish council

Farming charity secures 'vital' funding from Scottish council

TheThe local authority has agreed to donate £10,000 to Farmstrong over the next two years to fund vital wellbeing activities across Perth & Kinross

Rachael Brown
clock 24 March 2025 • 2 min read