Women farmers lead the way in climate-smart agriculture

To mark International Day of Rural Women on 15 October, Farm Africa has published a new evidence booklet, Women lead the way, revealing that female smallholder farmers participating in its programmes across eastern Africa are leading the uptake of climate-smart practices and achieving strong gains in yields and income.

Published during the UN-designated International Year of the Woman Farmer as part of Farm Africa’s Women lead the way campaign, the booklet brings together evidence from Farm Africa projects in Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia, highlighting the critical role women are playing in building climate-resilient food systems and strengthening rural economies.

The findings challenge long-held assumptions about gender and agricultural productivity. Across multiple projects, Farm Africa found that women adopt new climate-smart farming practices earlier, continue using them for longer, and achieve results that match or exceed those of male-headed households.

In Kenya, female-led households participating in Farm Africa’s regenerative agriculture programme adopted climate-smart farming technologies at a rate of 56%, compared to 31% among male-headed households. Female-led households in the programme also achieved average crop production of 700kg, significantly higher than the 430kg recorded by male-headed households.

In Tanzania’s Dodoma region, women farmers supported through a climate-smart agriculture project produced an average of 750kg of drought-tolerant sorghum per acre, compared with 669kg for men.

Members of the Biftu Beri Women’s Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) supported by Farm Africa in Ethiopia’s Bale Eco-region.

Farm Africa’s evidence also shows women building thriving agricultural businesses. In Ethiopia’s Bale Eco-Region, female-headed households participating in the Forests for Sustainable Development programme earned an average annual income of 92,030 Ethiopian Birr from crops and livestock, compared to 82,724 Birr among male-headed households.

Despite these results, women continue to face significant barriers to success in agriculture. Farm Africa’s report highlights how women are frequently denied equal access to land, finance, agricultural extension services, training and markets, limiting their ability to reach their full potential.

Elvis Muchene, Head of Insights & Innovation at Farm Africa, said:

“The evidence is clear: when women farmers are given the opportunity, support and resources they need, they deliver outstanding results. Across our programmes, women are leading the adoption of climate-smart agriculture, increasing yields and building stronger, more resilient livelihoods.”

“As the world marks the International Day of Rural Women during the International Year of the Woman Farmer, governments, donors and development organisations must recognise that investing in women farmers is not only the right thing to do, it is one of the smartest ways to improve food security, tackle climate change and strengthen rural economies.”

Judith, a farmer producing sorghum in Dodoma, Tanzania.

The report argues that agricultural development programmes should place women at the centre of their design, not only to promote gender equality but to maximise impact. Farm Africa’s approach includes supporting women’s access to savings groups, land, training, markets and leadership opportunities, while engaging men to ensure lasting change within households and communities.

The booklet also showcases the stories of women farmers and entrepreneurs across eastern Africa who are transforming their lives, supporting their families and helping their communities adapt to climate change.