Aston Lukoye
Nairobi, Kenya – September 26, 2024 – Africa’s leading Food Systems Institution, AGRA in
partnership with Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPCK) have joined hands to explore
opportunities to support Women in Agribusiness.
At an event in Nairobi, which brought together over 300 women in agribusiness, AGRA Vice
President, of Programs Delivery Prof. Hamadi Boga, said that “Women empowerment programmes
requires strong inclusive policies and systems.” He added that the newly revitalized Gender Inclusive
& Youth division is set to empower women through wealth creation, which will be attained through
Value4Her platform.
Women make up 80% of the agriculture labor force. Enhancing women’s equitable access to agricultural
resources and entrepreneurial benefits lie at the heart of the gender and inclusivity strategy of
AGRA.
In a recent study, commissioned by AGRA and CGIAR Gender Impact, it revealed that women in food
systems can do more than cook meals and yield hoes. Women can head up businesses, multiply their
incomes, and make choices for themselves—especially with the help of other women.
It is against this background that AGRA and her partner are determined to increase opportunities for
women in agri-business through the Value4Her initiative.
“One key insight is that while women’s economic empowerment through entrepreneurship in food
systems are well established, we now see that collective action and women-to-women networks help
women circumvent multiple barriers they face in developing successful enterprises,” said Nana Yaa
Amoah, Director of Gender Inclusive and Youth at AGRA.
Ms Amoah added, “While women’s access to financial services is getting better, there is a long way to
go. The women rely significantly on their own wages and personal savings, and sources like self-help
groups and microfinance institutions, to finance their businesses. Facilitating better access to formal
finance sources, such as banks, and helping women meet criteria for creditworthiness is important for
them to further grow their businesses. However, the women have expressed a low appetite for risk,
and their access to and use of risk-management products in agri-businesses is nascent.”
AGRA Kenya’s strategy aligns with these needs by focusing on supporting women-led
agribusinesses, promoting economic empowerment, and driving job creation. Through strategic
program design and delivery, AGRA Kenya emphasizes sustainable farming, inclusive finance, and
environmental and social management systems (ESMS) that prioritize women. AGRA is actively
establishing partnerships and signing collaborative MOUs with women’s networks to enhance impact
and scale.
Currently, AGRA Kenya is engaged in multiple
counties, including Embu, Meru, Laikipia, and Kitui, where 60-70% of the
beneficiaries and Village-Based Advisors (VBAs) are women, highlighting a strong commitment to
gender inclusion.
Today, women’s participation in agriculture and agribusiness spans various segments, including
primary production, aggregation, processing, marketing, retail, export, and value addition, driving
innovation, job creation, and making agriculture more attractive. Despite the progress, barriers to
accessing markets and finance remain significant constraints.
To address these pressing challenges, AGRA, through its VALUE4HER initiative, and the Fresh
Produce Consortium of Kenya is convening a women-led dialogue focused on empowering women
in agribusiness. This forum celebrates and acknowledges the vital contributions of women, while also
providing a platform for them to share their experiences, highlight challenges, and advocate for policy
actions that address critical issues such as access to markets, finance, and climate resilience. By
centering on advocacy and policy dialogue, this convening aims to amplify women’s voices, unlock
opportunities, and drive meaningful change in support of women-led agribusinesses.
