In a significant step towards enhancing economic opportunities for women in agriculture, (AGRA) has partnered with the Fresh Produce Consortium of Kenya (FPCK) to revitalize its Value4Her initiative. This collaboration aims to support women agripreneurs across the region and address barriers they face in accessing resources and markets.
At a conference held in Nairobi, attended by over 300 women in agribusiness, AGRA’s Vice President of Programs Delivery, Prof. Hamadi Boga, emphasized the importance of strong, inclusive policies to foster women’s empowerment in the agricultural sector. He announced the launch of AGRA’s revitalized Gender Inclusive & Youth division, which is designed to create wealth for women through initiatives like the Value4Her platform.
Women represent 80 percent of the agricultural labor force in Africa, and AGRA’s strategy focuses on enhancing their equitable access to agricultural resources. A recent study commissioned by AGRA and CGIAR Gender Impact highlights the potential of women beyond traditional roles; they can lead businesses, increase their incomes, and make impactful choices, particularly when supported by strong networks of fellow women.
Nana Yaa Amoah, Director of Gender Inclusive and Youth at AGRA, shared insights on the importance of collective action among women. “While economic empowerment through entrepreneurship is recognized, we find that networks help women navigate barriers to success,” she stated. Amoah pointed out that despite improvements in women’s access to financial services, significant gaps remain. Many women still rely heavily on personal savings, microfinance, and self-help groups to fund their enterprises, indicating a need for better access to formal financial institutions.
AGRA Kenya’s strategy addresses these challenges by focusing on women-led agribusinesses, promoting economic empowerment, and creating jobs. The organization is committed to sustainable farming practices and inclusive financial systems that prioritize women. AGRA is also establishing partnerships and signing memorandums of understanding with women’s networks to enhance impact and scalability.
Currently, AGRA operates in several counties, including Embu, Meru, Laikipia, and Kitui, where women constitute 60-70 percent of beneficiaries and Village-Based Advisors. This focus on gender inclusion underlines AGRA’s commitment to empowering women in various sectors of agriculture, from primary production to processing and marketing.
Despite advancements, women in agribusiness still encounter significant barriers to accessing markets and finance. To tackle these challenges, AGRA and FPCK are convening a women-led dialogue aimed at empowering women in agribusiness. This forum will celebrate the vital contributions of women, provide a platform for sharing experiences, and advocate for policies that address key issues such as market access, financial support, and climate resilience.
By centering advocacy and policy dialogue, this initiative seeks to amplify women’s voices in the agricultural sector, unlocking opportunities and driving meaningful change for women-led agribusinesses across Kenya.