Diversity in Agriculture

Abstract

There is disproportionality amongst gender and ethnic diversity within the field of agriculture, and it is important to address what impacts this will have on the agricultural industry and what solutions can be taken to address this issue. As agriculture continues to advance in growing technologically, commercially, and industrially, it is equally as important to ensure that the ethnic diversity gap does not widen further. For the scope of this paper, the term diversity is defined in regard to the incorporation of people from various ethnic and cultural backgrounds and identities; rather than the more common usage of diversity in agriculture which is defined as the distinct genetics of crops and their production. Over time, collective interest and considerations of implementing more diversity within any professional field have progressed. Incorporating more ethnic diversity within the field of agriculture can provide benefits toward consumer relations, expand ideas in academia, and offset various existing barriers in the industry. Actively incorporating diversification in agriculture can occur in tandem with the existing initiatives the ag industry is utilizing. Nevertheless, one must also take into consideration the legitimacy of concerns an increased sample population of farmers creates such as scarcity of resources, urbanization of farming, and opposition when trying to change policies and legislation.