Cargill expands initiatives to support women in global agriculture
Cargill is implementing targeted partnerships to bridge gender gaps in the food system by improving women's access to resources, education, and market opportunities.
While women account for nearly half of the global agricultural labor force, systemic barriers—including unequal access to land and credit—frequently limit their productivity and economic impact. In response, Cargill is leveraging its global supply chain to promote gender equity through various partnership models.
The company works with organizations like Partners in Food Solutions to provide technical business support to small food processors in Africa, where many operations are managed by women. By deploying employee volunteers, Cargill assists these entrepreneurs in optimizing their operations and scaling their reach.
Additional efforts include the 'Hatching Hope' program, a partnership with Heifer International focused on poultry farming in India, Kenya, and Mexico, and the 'She Thrives' initiative in Vietnam, which provides training in financial and digital literacy. These programs aim to provide sustainable livelihood improvements for smallholder farmers.
Ruth Kimmelshue, senior vice president of Cargill’s animal nutrition business, stated that inclusive participation is necessary to navigate the complexities of the current food industry. Projections from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization suggest that closing the gender gap could significantly reduce global hunger, potentially impacting over 100 million people.