Kenya’s food security rests on empowering women farmers
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In Kenya, Dr. Eileen Nchanji of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT argues that building climate resilience in agriculture requires addressing the specific risks faced by women farmers.
Women comprise 40 to 50% of the agricultural workforce in sub-Saharan Africa, handling most planting, harvesting, and food processing, yet they often have less access to land, financing, technology, and markets than men.
Nchanji contends that simply providing better seeds or technology is insufficient; lasting change necessitates systems that account for women’s risks and give them control over resources and decision-making. She describes a “triple burden” for women farmers, balancing fieldwork with childcare and household chores, leaving them less time for learning or recovering from crop failures. Unequal land ownership further limits their access to loans and long-term investment.
Nchanji advocates for “gender-transformative socio-technical innovation bundles”, combining drought-resistant seeds, irrigation, training, and financial support, to address both technical and social constraints. Trials in Kenya show that these bundles increased adoption of improved seeds from 42% to over 90% among women. Beyond increased yields, up to 80% in some communities, the approach fosters more equitable household decision-making, with couples jointly managing farming and finances, and women gaining more control over income spent on family needs like education and healthcare.
As a potentially strong El Niño looms, threatening heavy rainfall and displacement across East Africa, Nchanji emphasizes that supporting women is essential for building food systems that can withstand climate shocks.
