ON International Women’s Day, the Queensland Farmers’ Federation has identified financial insecurity as a significant issue for farm businesswomen and released a discussion paper to facilitate pragmatic steps towards a more positive future they can count on.

QFF chief executive officer Dr Georgina Davis said women’s work and expertise were critical to maintaining and developing agricultural businesses but some women were exposed to financial insecurity due to a lack of economic support structures.

“Factors such as exclusion from decision-making and control over wealth, an inability to earn personal income, and a lack of institutional recognition can make farm businesswomen disproportionately vulnerable to poverty in retirement, or after significant events such as bereavement, divorce, and natural disaster,” Dr Davis said.

“Research identified that many women in agriculture today continue to work without pay, struggle to generate and retain off-farm income, contribute little to superannuation or capital for retirement, are ineligible for services such as insurance, and receive insufficient government support.

“The paper recommends extensive and accurate data be collected to determine the issues, while support must be provided to farm businesswomen through mentoring and financial and legal advice.”

Dr Davis said the policies of government and bodies such as insurance providers must also be reviewed to ensure they understood, and were inclusive of, the unique needs of farm businesswomen.

“Following on from this paper, QFF’s Farm Businesswomen Working Group will work to identify and prioritise implementation strategies. Farm businesswomen are invited to consider the discussion questions, join the conversation and share their experiences with the Working Group by 30 April, 2021.

“In addition, the QFF-led Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance is working with UQ Skills to deliver a ‘for women, by women’ edition of their Farm Business Management Skill Set program which aims to celebrate and encourage women’s participation in agriculture by providing them with the skills and knowledge to manage farm business.

“Commitment is needed from government, industry bodies, researchers, and farmers themselves to address the gaps, progress change and assist farm businesswomen achieve financial security.”

NSW Farmers celebrates Women’s Day

NSW Farmers chief executive officer Pete Arkle said women played a vital role at NSW Farmers, from Board members to committee Chairs in the Association’s membership and policy, communications, IT, finance and regional staff.

“Today is a special opportunity to mark their leadership in a field that has historically been associated with men,” Mr Arkle said.

“With Fiona Simson leading agriculture nationally at NFF, and also a past president of NSW Farmers, there are great opportunities for talented and capable individuals, irrespective of gender, to step up help lead the growth of NSW and Australian agriculture.

“We’re proud to advocate on behalf of the many farm enterprises that are partly or fully operated by women, and it’s promising to see more accurate representation filter through with the appointment or election of more and more women to industry leadership roles.

“All of our extensive livestock committees, which include cattle, sheepmeat, goats and wool, are now chaired by women.

“It’s an exciting time to be part of NSW Farmers, and while many women leaders may not want to be singled out, it’s still important to acknowledge their integral role in agriculture and regional NSW,. Mr Arkle concluded.

Sources: QFF, NSW Farmers

Read ‘The Financial Security of Farm Businesswomen in Australia’ Discussion Paper: www.qff.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/QFF-Farm-Business-Women-Discussion-Paper.pdf

Join the conversation with QFF’s Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion: Farm Businesswomen Working Group: www.linkedin.com/groups/13916629/ or email diana@qff.org.au

Register for UQ Skills’ Farm Business Management Skill Set program: https://skills-training.uq.edu.au/farm-business-management-skill-set-special-edition

To mark International Women’s Day 2021, applications open today for the National Farmers Federation’s (NFF) fourth annual Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program. A now well-established initiative, the Program is a mentoring opportunity for women who want to play a leading role in shaping the future of agriculture and regional Australia.