Globally, women contribute significantly to the agricultural labour force, with the proportion soaring to 70 per cent in Africa. Given that Africa derives 30-40 per cent of its GDP from agriculture, the indispensable role women play in sustaining the continent cannot be overstated.
Despite their important role, gender inequalities persist, limiting women’s economic opportunities and posing a direct threat to food security in sub-Saharan African countries.
The impact of these inequalities is substantial, with the Food and Agriculture Organization estimating global losses of $1 trillion. Addressing these issues could potentially uplift 45 million of the 345 million people facing food insecurity worldwide.
These income and food losses can be attributed to low wages or unequal pay for women and reduced productivity due to the limited access, control, and ownership of productive resources like land. It is estimated that only about two per cent of women own land in Kenya and 15 per cent globally.
Limited access to quality seed, technology and sustainable finance also greatly curtails women’s potential.
The situation in Kenya mirrors the challenges faced by women in Africa, particularly with the worsening household food security situation over the last decade due to disruptions like the Covid-19 pandemic and climate crises and inflation due to global factors like supply chain interruptions leading to a steep increase in basic food commodities.
The majority of Kenyan households are now reported as food insecure, as they are unable to afford adequate or nutritious amounts of food for their daily sustenance. A situation exacerbated for women and children during food crises.
Smallholder women farmers, owning under two acres of land, struggle to access agricultural inputs and information crucial for productivity. Factors such as inadequate control over production decisions, lack of quality seed, poor agricultural practices and limited access to technology contribute to poor harvests.
Quality seed, a critical factor in boosting production along value chains, has been historically neglected in terms of investment, with misconceptions hindering women from investing in this essential resource.
To address these challenges, the Kenya government, along with various sector players, has taken steps to transform agriculture. The government's commitment to inject Sh250 billion into the sector aligns with its strategy to (i) increase small-scale farmer income (ii) increase agricultural output and value add output and (iii) increase household food resilience.
Public-private partnerships, outlined in the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy document (ASTGS 2019 – 2029), are pivotal to achieving these objectives.
It is crucial to spotlight the need for increased investment in women's economic growth for sustainable development. Investing in women in agriculture is not just an economic imperative but a step towards ensuring sustainable development, food security and empowerment for generations to come. The time to act is now.