7 Winter 2024 | East Denise Faguy Female farm operators play an increasingly vital role in shaping the future of Canadian agriculture. From adopting cutting-edge technology to leading sustainable farming practices, their contributions are helping redefine the landscape of the industry. A recent report from Statistics Canada highlights significant growth in the number of female farm operators across the country. According to the 2021 Census of Agriculture, the number of women working as farm operators increased by 2.3% from 2016 to 2021, reaching 79,795 female operators—up from 77,970 in 2016. This marks the first increase in female farm operators since 1991, when the Census began collecting data on multiple farm operators. In contrast, the number of male farm operators dropped by 5.8% during the same period, underscoring a growing trend of women taking on leadership roles in agriculture. As female participation grows, they are increasingly leading operations that emphasize direct sales and organic products. In 2020, 37.2% of farm operators working on farms with direct sales were women, up from 35.6% in 2015. Similarly, the number of female operators on farms reporting organic products increased by 30.4% between 2016 and 2021. Female farm operators are also at the forefront of sustainable farming. In 2021, more than 10,300 women were involved in renewable energy production on farms—more than double the number from the previous census. Furthermore, female participation in high-tech farming practices, such as robotic milkers and auto-steer technology, has seen remarkable increases. The number of women working on farms with robotic milkers rose to 25.7% in 2020, up from 24% in 2015. The use of automated guidance systems and GIS mapping also saw notable increases, with female participation rising by 45% and 72.3%, respectively. This trend of women adopting innovative technology is particularly strong in provinces like Ontario, which saw the highest increases in the number of female operators using auto-steer and GIS mapping. Saskatchewan and Alberta also experienced significant growth in this area. Despite these gains, the overall number of younger and middle-aged female farm operators has decreased over the past five years. Female operators under 35 saw a decrease of 9.5%, while those aged 35 to 54 decreased by 15.8%. Similar trends were observed in male farm operators, indicating a broader shift within the industry. Geographically, Ontario remains home to the largest number of female farm operators, accounting for 26.2% of the national total in 2021. Alberta follows closely behind with 23.2%, while provinces like British Columbia and Prince Edward Island show varying levels of female representation. In British Columbia, women make up nearly 40% of farm operators, with a large concentration working on other crops farms, while Prince Edward Island has the lowest proportion at 20%. In terms of farm types, female farm operators are most represented in sheep and goat farming, where they make up 41.1% of the operators. Conversely, they are least represented in oilseed and grain farming, with only 25.6% of operators being women. The growth of female participation in Canadian agriculture reflects broader changes within the industry, driven by technology, sustainability, and a shift towards more diverse and inclusive leadership. As more women continue to take on leadership roles, the future of Canadian agriculture is undoubtedly in good hands. WOMEN DRIVING CHANGE IN CANADA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR
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