International Women’s Day 2026: The power of investing in female farmers

This International Women’s Day, Farm Africa is celebrating the determination, innovation and leadership of female farmers across rural Africa.

From climate-smart farming skills in Tanzania to savings groups in Uganda, when rural women have access to the right knowledge, tools and support, they improve their own livelihoods and strengthen entire communities.

Women taking part in a Village Savings and Loan Association meeting in Uganda. Photo credit: Farm Africa / Jjumba Martin

Across eastern Africa, women make up a significant proportion of the agricultural workforce. Yet they are more likely to face barriers to accessing land, finance, training and markets.

Climate change is intensifying these challenges, bringing more frequent droughts, unpredictable rainfall and rising food insecurity. Farm Africa is changing this by investing in female farmers’ access to the finance and knowledge they need to thrive.

Climate-smart farming in Tanzania 

In Tanzania’s Dodoma region, Farm Africa has supported female farmers to diversify their crops by growing sorghum – a drought-tolerant, high-value crop that is helping communities adapt to changing weather patterns.

Damaris with her crops. Photo credit: Farm Africa / Bertha Lutome

Farmers like Damaris are leading the way. Through training in climate-smart agriculture, post-harvest handling and financial management, women have increased productivity, reduced food losses and secured stronger market links.

With improved storage techniques and better access to buyers, farmers are now able to time their sales strategically and negotiate better prices, resulting in higher profits.

Village Savings and Loan Association meeting in Lomonia Village, Kotido District, Karamoja region. Photo credit: Chris de Bode / Panos Pictures for Farm Africa

Women are stepping into leadership roles – managing selling stations, coordinating bulk sales and representing hundreds of farmers in market negotiations.

As a result, female farmers have boosted their incomes, meaning their families can invest in education, improve their homes and diversify their diets.

Financial power in Karamoja 

Further north, in Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region, access to finance is unlocking similar change.

Betty Nakut with money from the Village Savings and Loan Associations group. Photo credit: Farm Africa / Bertha Lutome

Betty is a member of a farming and savings group in the Napak district. Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) supported by Farm Africa and CARE International’s CASCADE project are enabling women to take control of their financial futures.

In a region where poverty and malnutrition remain widespread, savings groups provide a vital safety net. Women access affordable loans, allowing them to invest in seeds, livestock, small businesses and school fees. For many, it is the first time they have had reliable access to credit.

Betty Nakut with her crops. Photo credit: Farm Africa / Bertha Lutome

Members like Betty have used their savings to build up herds of goats and sheep, creating assets that can be sold in times of need, as well as access to nutritious milk. Just as importantly, savings groups are strengthening women’s confidence and decision-making power within their households and communities.

When women can borrow quickly to pay school fees or cover emergency healthcare costs, families are less vulnerable to shocks. Children stay in school. Nutrition improves. Long-term prospects grow.

A shared story of transformation 

Farm Africa’s approach recognises that boosting agricultural productivity depends on affordable access to finance. Access to loans means female farmers can borrow money to buy high-quality seeds for drought-tolerant crops or diversify their incomes by investing in rearing livestock.

A group of people sat outside at a Village Savings and Loan Associations meeting. Photo credit: Farm Africa / Jjumba Martin

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who are planting new crops, building savings, negotiating prices and investing in the next generation. Their leadership is creating stronger harvests, healthier families and more resilient communities.

By continuing to invest in female farmers, Farm Africa is helping to build a future where no woman is left behind.