Over 200 women practicing farming across Embu County have benefited from a training program on best farming practices aimed at boosting yields, improving household incomes and enhancing food security.
The one-day training organized by the Women Farmers Association of Kenya (WOFAK) in conjunction with the County Government and the Rainforest Alliance focused on sustainable methods such as agroecology, climate-resilient techniques, water conservation, crop diversification, value addition, and financial literacy.
The training is expected to transform their farming ventures from subsistence activity into sustainable and profitable commercial operations.
Speaking during the training held in Embu Town on Thursday, County Agriculture Chief Officer Njeru Mwita emphasized the critical role women play in Kenya’s agricultural sector.
He noted that women make up 83 percent of the agricultural workforce in Kenya, which underscores their vital role in food production and security.
Mwita said empowering women farmers was thus crucial for food security, calling for concerted efforts to be made to remove systematic barriers they face, including limited access to land, finances, education and technology.
He said implantation of programs that empower them will go a long way in enhancing their decision-making power and incomes thus contributing to overall social equity and economic growth.
The officer said the devolved unit has continued supporting women farmers through initiatives such as the provision of free quality seeds, tools and skills, all geared towards boosting production.
“We are in the process of procuring seeds for the long rains season that we plan to start distributing to farmers next month as they prepare their farms for the onset of the rains,” he said.
WOFAK National Chair Winnie Muriithi reported that the organization is working towards strengthening value chains that will unite women farmers in Embu County.
“We are mapping out some chains that will bring women farmers together so that they can be empowered collectively and benefit more from their farming activities,” Murithi said.
She noted they were evaluating sunflower farming as a viable venture for women farmers, with a focus on the production of cooking oil for domestic consumption and sale.
“We are also keen on animal feed production. We are already in talks with the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) with a view of securing funds to purchase the necessary equipment,” she revealed.
On her part, Rainforest Alliance Official Susan Kinyua said their focus was to connect farmers with financial institutions to enable them to expand their enterprises as well as market linkages for their produce.
“We will link these farmers with financial players who can offer sustainable financing so that they can scale up the enterprises they are planning to undertake,” Kinyua said.
By Samuel Waititu
