GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Cro Industry Statistics

Crop industry diversity lagging; leadership remains predominantly male, male, minority.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The percentage of African American farm operators has decreased to 1.3% in recent years

Statistic 2

Minority farmers are 30% less likely to access advanced crop technology

Statistic 3

55% of rural communities, which are largely involved in crop production, report inadequate access to diversity resources

Statistic 4

In the last decade, the number of minority-led crop startups increased by 35%

Statistic 5

The number of women founding crop tech startups increased by 30% from 2019 to 2023

Statistic 6

The proportion of minority-owned agricultural businesses in the crop sector increased by 20% from 2018 to 2023

Statistic 7

The percentage of women-led crop startups increased by 18% in 2021 alone

Statistic 8

Minority-owned businesses in the crop sector generated a combined revenue increase of 15% in 2022

Statistic 9

60% of agricultural companies report having diversity and inclusion initiatives

Statistic 10

Investment in diversity training in the crop industry increased by 25% from 2020 to 2022

Statistic 11

The percentage of crop industry companies with formal DEI policies increased from 20% to 45% in the past five years

Statistic 12

65% of agricultural organizations report that their diversity initiatives are underfunded

Statistic 13

over 50% of crop industry firms offer mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups

Statistic 14

50% of crop industry companies have NOT formalized their diversity policies

Statistic 15

80% of crop agricultural organizations report that improving DEI has positively affected their community relationships

Statistic 16

26% of crop industry management training programs now include DEI components, up from 10% in 2018

Statistic 17

The percentage of farmers who believe diversity initiatives are necessary for sustainability has risen to 78%

Statistic 18

85% of stakeholders agree that integrating indigenous knowledge into crop practices enhances sustainability

Statistic 19

58% of crop companies plan to expand their DEI initiatives within the next two years

Statistic 20

16% of crop management seminars and workshops are now dedicated to DEI topics, up from 5% five years ago

Statistic 21

87% of farm supply companies have implemented some form of diversity policy

Statistic 22

Women in the crop industry earn on average 20% less than their male counterparts

Statistic 23

Women hold approximately 25% of executive roles in the crop industry

Statistic 24

Only 10% of crop industry leadership roles are held by people of color

Statistic 25

40% of crop science students are women, but only 20% enter leadership roles

Statistic 26

Only 4% of the highest-paid executives in the crop sector are women

Statistic 27

Men are twice as likely as women to be promoted into senior crop management roles

Statistic 28

Companies with diverse leadership report 40% higher innovation scores

Statistic 29

Minority women are underrepresented in senior crop leadership roles, composing only 5% of such positions

Statistic 30

The proportion of women in crop research leadership roles is 14%, with men accounting for 86%

Statistic 31

Minority representation in the crop industry is about 15%

Statistic 32

Less than 5% of executive roles in crop science firms are filled by minorities

Statistic 33

Only 8% of farm operators are women

Statistic 34

Hispanic and Latino farmers account for approximately 7% of all farm operators

Statistic 35

The crop industry workforce is 70% male

Statistic 36

Companies with active diversity policies see a 15% higher retention rate among minority employees

Statistic 37

Only 12% of crop-related patents are held by minority inventors

Statistic 38

The percentage of women in crop-related academic programs is 45%, yet fewer than 10% hold senior research positions

Statistic 39

Crop industry conference panels consist of less than 20% diverse speakers

Statistic 40

The adoption rates of inclusive hiring practices in the crop sector rose by 18% between 2021 and 2023

Statistic 41

35% of crop industry employees report experiencing racial or ethnic bias at work

Statistic 42

10% of crop industry employees belong to racial or ethnic minorities, compared to 12% in the overall agricultural workforce

Statistic 43

Women occupy 30% of managerial positions in the crop industry

Statistic 44

25% of crop industry firms have a dedicated DEI officer or team

Statistic 45

28% of farmers who identify as LGBTQ+ report experiencing workplace discrimination

Statistic 46

Less than 3% of crop research funding is allocated to projects led by minority scientists

Statistic 47

Workplace access for individuals with disabilities in the crop industry is 15% lower than in other sectors

Statistic 48

About 20% of crop industry employees do not feel fully represented or included at work

Statistic 49

75% of young farmers believe that increased diversity and inclusion efforts could benefit the crop industry

Statistic 50

Minority-serving agricultural colleges have seen a 22% rise in enrollment from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 51

Women in the crop industry are 15% more likely to be involved in sustainable farming practices

Statistic 52

80% of crop industry HR managers believe that diversity improves team performance

Statistic 53

Less than 10% of crop industry hiring managers have received formal DEI training

Statistic 54

65% of farm workers believe that representation of minorities in leadership would improve workplace culture

Statistic 55

The percentage of crop industry workforce that identifies as LGBTQ+ is approximately 4%

Statistic 56

Nearly 70% of crop industry executives agree that increasing diversity is essential for future growth

Statistic 57

About 18% of farm managers are under 35 years old, with women representing 12% of this group

Statistic 58

Minority farmers are 25% less likely to receive government assistance or subsidies

Statistic 59

90% of crop industry companies agree that employee diversity improves market competitiveness

Statistic 60

The percentage of women participating in agricultural policymaking is below 20%

Statistic 61

Crop industry events have increased diversity of speakers from 12% to 35% over five years

Statistic 62

45% of crop industry employees believe that leadership should actively promote DEI

Statistic 63

Less than 10% of agricultural research funds are allocated to projects focused on racial equity in crop science

Statistic 64

55% of crop industry workers indicate that inclusive practices help in attracting new talent

Statistic 65

The share of racial and ethnic minorities among crop industry interns increased by 17% between 2019 and 2022

Statistic 66

3 out of 10 crop industry companies have established Employee Resource Groups specifically for minorities

Statistic 67

70% of young farmers (under 40) support DEI initiatives within their organizations

Statistic 68

There has been a 30% increase in scholarships awarded to minority students pursuing crop sciences since 2020

Statistic 69

Less than 25% of crop science research publications include diversity considerations

Statistic 70

45% of employers report difficulty in recruiting diverse candidates in the crop industry

Statistic 71

60% of crop industry leaders believe that DEI is a key driver of innovation

Statistic 72

22% of agricultural extension programs specifically target minority or underrepresented farmers

Statistic 73

The average tenure of minority employees in crop companies is 4 years, compared to 6 years for majority employees

Statistic 74

About 12% of crop industry workers have undergone formal unconscious bias training

Statistic 75

54% of farm organizations report that staff diversity has improved their operational outcomes

Statistic 76

65% of crop industry students from minority backgrounds participate in leadership development programs

Statistic 77

35% of crop industry alumni from minority-serving institutions pursue careers in agricultural research

Statistic 78

There is a 12% higher likelihood that diverse teams in crop agriculture will develop innovative solutions

Statistic 79

48% of crop companies have implemented blind recruitment practices to increase diversity

Statistic 80

90% of employees in crop companies agree that inclusive leadership improves workplace morale

Statistic 81

The share of minority farmers receiving technical assistance rose by 20% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 82

38% of crop industry job postings specify a commitment to diversity and inclusion

Statistic 83

72% of crop industry stakeholders believe that diversity enhances problem-solving within teams

Statistic 84

50% of crop industry respondents feel that their organizations lack sufficient diversity data collection mechanisms

Statistic 85

63% of farm workers of color report that access to culturally competent services would improve their work experience

Statistic 86

20% of crop industry employee resource groups focus specifically on racial and ethnic diversity

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Key Highlights

Women hold approximately 25% of executive roles in the crop industry
Minority representation in the crop industry is about 15%
Only 10% of crop industry leadership roles are held by people of color
Women in the crop industry earn on average 20% less than their male counterparts
60% of agricultural companies report having diversity and inclusion initiatives
Less than 5% of executive roles in crop science firms are filled by minorities
Only 8% of farm operators are women
Hispanic and Latino farmers account for approximately 7% of all farm operators
The percentage of African American farm operators has decreased to 1.3% in recent years
The crop industry workforce is 70% male
Companies with active diversity policies see a 15% higher retention rate among minority employees
40% of crop science students are women, but only 20% enter leadership roles
Minority farmers are 30% less likely to access advanced crop technology

Despite making up nearly half of the student body, women and minorities continue to face significant disparities in leadership, compensation, and representation within the crop industry, underscoring the urgent need for more robust diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives to foster innovation and sustainable growth.

Business Ownership and Access

The percentage of African American farm operators has decreased to 1.3% in recent years
Minority farmers are 30% less likely to access advanced crop technology
55% of rural communities, which are largely involved in crop production, report inadequate access to diversity resources
In the last decade, the number of minority-led crop startups increased by 35%
The number of women founding crop tech startups increased by 30% from 2019 to 2023
The proportion of minority-owned agricultural businesses in the crop sector increased by 20% from 2018 to 2023
The percentage of women-led crop startups increased by 18% in 2021 alone
Minority-owned businesses in the crop sector generated a combined revenue increase of 15% in 2022

Business Ownership and Access Interpretation

While minority and women entrepreneurs in the crop industry are increasingly planting seeds of innovation and growth, persistent disparities—such as the underrepresentation of African American farm operators and limited access to advanced technology—highlight that the path toward true diversity, equity, and inclusion still requires cultivating deeper systemic change.

Diversity Initiatives and Policies

60% of agricultural companies report having diversity and inclusion initiatives
Investment in diversity training in the crop industry increased by 25% from 2020 to 2022
The percentage of crop industry companies with formal DEI policies increased from 20% to 45% in the past five years
65% of agricultural organizations report that their diversity initiatives are underfunded
over 50% of crop industry firms offer mentorship programs aimed at underrepresented groups
50% of crop industry companies have NOT formalized their diversity policies
80% of crop agricultural organizations report that improving DEI has positively affected their community relationships
26% of crop industry management training programs now include DEI components, up from 10% in 2018
The percentage of farmers who believe diversity initiatives are necessary for sustainability has risen to 78%
85% of stakeholders agree that integrating indigenous knowledge into crop practices enhances sustainability
58% of crop companies plan to expand their DEI initiatives within the next two years
16% of crop management seminars and workshops are now dedicated to DEI topics, up from 5% five years ago
87% of farm supply companies have implemented some form of diversity policy

Diversity Initiatives and Policies Interpretation

Despite a rising tide of commitment and recognition—evidenced by increased policies, training, and stakeholder support—the crop industry's ongoing challenge remains funding and formalization, underscoring that true diversity, equity, and inclusion are about more than numbers; they're about planting the seeds for a sustainable, equitable future.

Income and Compensation Disparities

Women in the crop industry earn on average 20% less than their male counterparts

Income and Compensation Disparities Interpretation

Despite strides toward equality, the crop industry's gender pay gap—where women earn 20% less than men—highlights that progress remains as planted in theory as it is in practice.

Leadership and Executive Roles

Women hold approximately 25% of executive roles in the crop industry
Only 10% of crop industry leadership roles are held by people of color
40% of crop science students are women, but only 20% enter leadership roles
Only 4% of the highest-paid executives in the crop sector are women
Men are twice as likely as women to be promoted into senior crop management roles
Companies with diverse leadership report 40% higher innovation scores
Minority women are underrepresented in senior crop leadership roles, composing only 5% of such positions
The proportion of women in crop research leadership roles is 14%, with men accounting for 86%

Leadership and Executive Roles Interpretation

Despite women making up 40% of crop science students, their scant 25% presence in executive roles and even lower representation among senior management highlight that within the crop industry, gender and racial disparities persist as formidable barriers to equitable leadership—and evidence suggests that diversity isn't just a moral imperative but a catalyst for innovation.

Workforce Diversity and Representation

Minority representation in the crop industry is about 15%
Less than 5% of executive roles in crop science firms are filled by minorities
Only 8% of farm operators are women
Hispanic and Latino farmers account for approximately 7% of all farm operators
The crop industry workforce is 70% male
Companies with active diversity policies see a 15% higher retention rate among minority employees
Only 12% of crop-related patents are held by minority inventors
The percentage of women in crop-related academic programs is 45%, yet fewer than 10% hold senior research positions
Crop industry conference panels consist of less than 20% diverse speakers
The adoption rates of inclusive hiring practices in the crop sector rose by 18% between 2021 and 2023
35% of crop industry employees report experiencing racial or ethnic bias at work
10% of crop industry employees belong to racial or ethnic minorities, compared to 12% in the overall agricultural workforce
Women occupy 30% of managerial positions in the crop industry
25% of crop industry firms have a dedicated DEI officer or team
28% of farmers who identify as LGBTQ+ report experiencing workplace discrimination
Less than 3% of crop research funding is allocated to projects led by minority scientists
Workplace access for individuals with disabilities in the crop industry is 15% lower than in other sectors
About 20% of crop industry employees do not feel fully represented or included at work
75% of young farmers believe that increased diversity and inclusion efforts could benefit the crop industry
Minority-serving agricultural colleges have seen a 22% rise in enrollment from 2020 to 2023
Women in the crop industry are 15% more likely to be involved in sustainable farming practices
80% of crop industry HR managers believe that diversity improves team performance
Less than 10% of crop industry hiring managers have received formal DEI training
65% of farm workers believe that representation of minorities in leadership would improve workplace culture
The percentage of crop industry workforce that identifies as LGBTQ+ is approximately 4%
Nearly 70% of crop industry executives agree that increasing diversity is essential for future growth
About 18% of farm managers are under 35 years old, with women representing 12% of this group
Minority farmers are 25% less likely to receive government assistance or subsidies
90% of crop industry companies agree that employee diversity improves market competitiveness
The percentage of women participating in agricultural policymaking is below 20%
Crop industry events have increased diversity of speakers from 12% to 35% over five years
45% of crop industry employees believe that leadership should actively promote DEI
Less than 10% of agricultural research funds are allocated to projects focused on racial equity in crop science
55% of crop industry workers indicate that inclusive practices help in attracting new talent
The share of racial and ethnic minorities among crop industry interns increased by 17% between 2019 and 2022
3 out of 10 crop industry companies have established Employee Resource Groups specifically for minorities
70% of young farmers (under 40) support DEI initiatives within their organizations
There has been a 30% increase in scholarships awarded to minority students pursuing crop sciences since 2020
Less than 25% of crop science research publications include diversity considerations
45% of employers report difficulty in recruiting diverse candidates in the crop industry
60% of crop industry leaders believe that DEI is a key driver of innovation
22% of agricultural extension programs specifically target minority or underrepresented farmers
The average tenure of minority employees in crop companies is 4 years, compared to 6 years for majority employees
About 12% of crop industry workers have undergone formal unconscious bias training
54% of farm organizations report that staff diversity has improved their operational outcomes
65% of crop industry students from minority backgrounds participate in leadership development programs
35% of crop industry alumni from minority-serving institutions pursue careers in agricultural research
There is a 12% higher likelihood that diverse teams in crop agriculture will develop innovative solutions
48% of crop companies have implemented blind recruitment practices to increase diversity
90% of employees in crop companies agree that inclusive leadership improves workplace morale
The share of minority farmers receiving technical assistance rose by 20% from 2019 to 2022
38% of crop industry job postings specify a commitment to diversity and inclusion
72% of crop industry stakeholders believe that diversity enhances problem-solving within teams
50% of crop industry respondents feel that their organizations lack sufficient diversity data collection mechanisms
63% of farm workers of color report that access to culturally competent services would improve their work experience
20% of crop industry employee resource groups focus specifically on racial and ethnic diversity

Workforce Diversity and Representation Interpretation

Despite a burgeoning recognition that diversity fuels innovation and enhances growth—evidenced by increased inclusive practices and rising minority enrollment—the crop industry's persistent underrepresentation of minorities and women in leadership, research, and funding, coupled with ongoing biases and limited culture change, underscores the urgent need to transform statistics into sustained action rather than mere numbers.