The International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF) 2026 puts a global spotlight on women who are the backbone of agriculture in Africa and beyond. Across the continent, women make up a significant portion of the agricultural workforce, yet they often face barriers to land ownership, financing, and access to modern farming technology. This year aims to move from recognition to real, actionable change.
Women farmers in Africa, particularly in Kenya, are essential to food security and rural development. They manage smallholder farms, participate in value chains, and provide family nutrition. Despite their critical role, studies show they have limited access to credit, agricultural inputs, and training programs.
By closing gender gaps, agricultural productivity could increase by up to 30%, benefiting entire communities.
Research organizations like CGIAR and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are working to support women farmers with evidence-based solutions. Their focus includes: Generating actionable research that informs policies, Scaling technologies and innovations co-designed with women farmers and promoting gender-responsive policies and investment in African agriculture.
Despite their importance, women in African agriculture face systemic challenges:limited land ownership and tenure security, less access to financial services, credit, and farming inputs and gender wage gaps and unpaid domestic labor.
Addressing these gaps is not just a matter of fairness — it’s essential for boosting agricultural productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods in Africa
The International Year of the Woman Farmer encourages: Investment in gender-responsive agricultural services, Policy reforms to secure land rights and access to finance, technology transfer and training programs for women farmers and amplifying women’s voices in decision-making at local and national levels.