Corteva completes third class of the Leadership Academy for Women in Agribusiness

Corteva Agriscience is committed to accelerating the development of rural women, encouraging the training of future leaders in the sector. And it was with this purpose that the Leadership Academy for Women in Agribusiness was born, which has already trained 188 rural producers across the country. Last week, the 166 participants from the class of 2021 celebrated, through a 100% online and interactive event, their graduation from the training project. In total, 354 women have already passed through the Academy.

“Recognition of the role of women in agribusiness is a flag that Corteva raises globally. Through the Academy, we collaborate so that these women gain more visibility in the sector and conquer their spaces”, comments Rosemeire dos Santos, Government Relations Manager at Corteva Agriscience in Brazil. The female public's search for training is also reflected in a survey carried out this year by Agroligadas, which had the support of Corteva, ABAG and Sicredi. The study, which interviewed more than 400 women who work in agribusiness, revealed that 95% of them are concerned with improving their professional training.

And in continuation of the work that has been done, Corteva has already confirmed that a new class will be held in 2022. “In February, we will open registrations for 150 vacancies”, adds the executive.

In partnership with the Brazilian Agribusiness Association (ABAG) and the Fundação Dom Cabral business school, Corteva created the project based on the results of a survey carried out by the company itself in 2018. At the time, more than 4 thousand producers were interviewed rural areas, in 17 countries – with 500 interviewed in Brazil – to understand the barriers that prevent women from having a real and successful participation in the sector. Among the Brazilian women who responded to the survey, 89% would like to have access to training and 87% indicated that they wanted an academic degree.

The first class was formed in 2019 with 20 participants. That same year, the program involved 2.500 women through events and workshops. In 2020, this number more than tripled, and the program saw the participation of 150 women, in a 100% online course.

The objective of the Academy is to give the group a repertoire (of tools), boost the female presence in the sector and increasingly encourage female protagonism. Throughout the course's four modules, farmers learn leadership skills, economics and the agricultural market, the political scenario and its impacts on agribusiness, innovation and sustainability.