According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women make up about 50% of the agricultural labour force in sub-Saharan Africa, where they are primarily responsible for planting, weeding, harvesting, and ensuring food security at the household level. Despite this, their contributions have often been undervalued, with women excluded from key decisions in agricultural policy, production, and trade.

READ ALSO: The Rise of Women in Politics: A Remarkable Journey Towards Gender Parity

As a result of African women increasingly stepping into leadership roles across all facets of agriculture, from farming and agribusiness to research and policy advocacy, they are not only promoting intra-African agricultural development, they are strengthening food security within their countries and fostering trade and collaboration across the continent.

Women are bridging gaps between local and regional markets and advocating for gender-responsive policies. One key initiative unlocking the potential of African women in agriculture is the African Union’s Malabo Declaration, which sets ambitious sustainable targets for agriculture and food security. The declaration promotes policies that empower women farmers by improving access to land, finance, technology, and training, while increasing women’s participation in decision-making processes.

The African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD) programme has trained and mentored thousands of female agricultural scientists and entrepreneurs. This network of women innovators is advancing technological solutions and agricultural practices suited to African contexts, such as drought-resistant crops and more sustainable farming techniques.

In Ghana, Abena Osei-Asare, a prominent advocate for women in agriculture, works to connect local farmers to regional and global markets. By ensuring that women are well-represented in policy discussions and training initiatives, her efforts help rural women access opportunities in intra-African trade.

By adding value to raw agricultural produce such as maize, cassava, and cocoa, female farmers can extend shelf life, increase profitability, and introduce products that reach beyond national borders. In countries like Nigeria, Zambia, and Malawi, female agribusiness owners are producing a diverse range of processed foods, strengthening intra-African trade and contributing to economic growth.

Despite these advancements, women in agriculture continue to face significant challenges. Land ownership remains a major hurdle, as traditional practices often restrict women’s access to land and resources. In many African societies, inheritance laws favour men, leaving women without ownership rights or collateral for financing.

However, progressive land policies supported by institutions such as the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are beginning to address these inequities. Initiatives aimed at securing land tenure for women and ensuring equal access to credit and extension services are gradually shifting power dynamics in favour of female farmers.

The ongoing contributions of women in Africa’s agricultural sector are a testament to resilience, ingenuity, and leadership. By continuing to innovate, leading intra-African trade efforts, and advocating for gender-inclusive policies, women are laying the foundation for a more prosperous, food-secure, and sustainable Africa. Through their vision, determination, and expertise, they are not just feeding Africa—they are transforming it.

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Established by the United Nations in 2008, the International Day of Rural Women recognises the essential contributions women make in rural areas. The observance promotes gender equality and highlights the importance of policies that support women’s rights and well-being. It encourages global discussions on the challenges faced by rural women, emphasising their contributions to agricultural development and poverty reduction.

The Role of Rural Women in Agriculture

Rural women are the backbone of Africa’s agricultural sector. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), women make up nearly 43% of the agricultural labour force in developing countries. They are actively involved in planting, weeding, harvesting, and livestock care, yet their vital contributions often go unrecognised.

In Africa, women farmers produce between 60% and 80% of the food consumed in households, according to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). However, many rural women lack access to essential resources such as land, credit, and education, limiting their productivity and economic potential. The World Bank estimates that if women farmers had the same access to resources as men, their yields could increase by 20% to 30%.

Challenges Faced by Rural Women

Despite their critical roles, rural women in Africa face systemic inequalities that impede their livelihoods. The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2022 shows that gender parity in economic participation remains elusive. Many rural women have limited access to education, healthcare, and social services, compounding their challenges.

A report by UN Women reveals that women in rural areas are more likely to be illiterate than their urban counterparts, with around 66% lacking basic literacy skills. This educational disparity restricts their job opportunities and limits their ability to advocate for their rights.

Economic Empowerment and Income Generation

To support their families, rural women engage in various income-generating activities, including wage labour, vegetable production, and small-scale trading. According to the World Bank, when women earn an income, they reinvest it in their families, improving their children’s health and education.

Initiatives aimed at empowering rural women through training programmes, cooperatives, and access to credit have shown promising results. For instance, the FAO’s “Empower Women” initiative equips women with the necessary tools and resources to succeed. Studies show that agricultural training programmes targeting women have increased food production and improved income levels.

There are numerous inspiring examples of the transformative impact of empowering rural women. In Kenya, a cooperative of women farmers increased their incomes by 40% after gaining access to markets and receiving training in sustainable farming practices. This initiative not only boosted their economic situation but also fostered a strong sense of community and collaboration.

In Ethiopia, the “Women’s Development Army” mobilises women to work together within their communities, providing mutual support and sharing agricultural knowledge. This programme has significantly improved food production and health outcomes for women and their families.

The Importance of Recognising Rural Women’s Contributions

Recognising rural women’s contributions is crucial for promoting gender equality and empowerment. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) highlights that investing in women, particularly in agriculture, can drive significant economic growth. Closing gender gaps in labour force participation could potentially increase GDP by 35% in some regions.

By empowering rural women, we not only improve food security and economic growth but also foster social progress and enhance community well-being.

Moving Forward: Steps to Empower Rural Women

To support rural women in their contributions to agriculture and community development, several steps can be taken:

1. Access to Resources: Ensure equal access to land, credit, and agricultural inputs by implementing policies that protect women’s rights to land ownership and inheritance.
2. Education and Training: Provide educational opportunities and training tailored to rural women’s needs, with a focus on financial literacy and sustainable agricultural practices.
3. Support Networks: Establish cooperatives and networks that allow rural women to share knowledge, resources, and experiences, serving as platforms for advocacy.
4. Health and Social Services: Improve access to healthcare and social services in rural areas, ensuring women receive the necessary support for their well-being and that of their families.
5. Policy Advocacy: Advocate for policies that promote gender equality and the empowerment of rural women at local, national, and international levels.

As we celebrate the International Day of Rural Women, we must honour the resilience and contributions of rural women across Africa. It is essential to advocate for their rights, amplify their voices, and provide them with the resources and support they need to thrive.

Governments, NGOs, and communities must work together to create inclusive policies that empower rural women and address the barriers they face. Investing in rural women is not only a moral imperative but also an economic necessity for sustainable development and prosperity for all.

Together, we can create a future where rural women are recognised and celebrated as key partners in agriculture, community development, and economic growth.

The post International Day of Rural Women: Celebrating Africa’s Agricultural Backbone appeared first on African Leadership Magazine.

He was speaking to journalists on Saturday, after paying a courtesy call on Prime Minister, Edouard Ngirente, they discussed about IFAD’s ongoing projects.

“The investments are all on the value chain from the production to access to improved seeds and fertilisers to post-harvest [handling] and access to the market,” he said.

“That increase is essentially due to the performance of our projects here because our allocation is performance-based, and I have to say that Rwanda is among the top countries that are performing, not only in Africa, but in the whole world”.

IFAD is present in more than 80 countries to develop and finance programmes and projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity and incomes.

The institution has projects in Rwanda which partner with some cooperatives on post-harvest handling to tackle losses that farmers incur.

“The objective of the project is to reduce post-harvest losses by at least 20 percent. So, at the same time we are developing the whole value chain, from better drying to basic transformation [of farm produce] such as processing maize for example, and access to the market, and to help the cooperatives increase not only the production, and of course, their income,” he said.

The Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Geradine Mukeshimana, said the project works in 12 districts whereby it has drying facilities and warehouse for storage of produce such as maize and Irish potatoes, which help reduce post-harvest losses.

IFAD also funded a $65.1 million Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP) which will benefit over 100,000 resource-poor rural households, of whom 80,000 will be involved in dairy farming and 20,000 in off-farm activities along the dairy value chain.

The project launched in 2017, aims to raise rural incomes by intensifying dairy production and improving market access.

“The project is intended to advance Rwanda’s dairy sector from increasing milk production, to transportation of such produce and helping people who are adding value to such produce,” Mukeshimana said.

She added that areas that needs more attention includes setting up an irrigation project in Kayonza District’s Ndego area, which is more prone to drought.

“Ndego is an area where crops are affected by dry spells than other parts of the country. So, we realised that it needs special intervention; we are preparing a project to address such a problem,” she said.

“We are developing a project on small livestock as we realised that raising small livestock accelerates nutrition improvement in rural communities, rapidly generates income, and fast-track poverty alleviation.”

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A total of 285,600 farmers, particularly women and young people in six regions in southern Mauritania will benefit from a financial agreement signed today between the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Mauritania to improve their incomes, nutrition and food security.

The agreement for the Inclusive Value Chain Development Project (PRODEFI) was signed in Rome by Michel Mordasini, Vice-President of IFAD and Mariem Aouffa, Ambassador of Mauritania to Italy and Permanent Representative to Rome-based United Nations agencies.

The total cost of the project is US$45.2 million of which IFAD is providing a US$21 million grant including $6 million grant from the Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP) Trust Fund.

It is co-financed by the national private sector ($2 million), the Government of Mauritania ($5 million) and by the beneficiaries themselves ($2.2 million). The remaining $15 million will be covered by other financing sources or by the next IFAD financing cycle for Mauritania (2019-2021).

“PRODEFI will build upon and replicate IFAD’s experience in Mauritania and elsewhere in the sub-region by adopting a poverty reduction approach based on supporting inclusive production, transformation and marketing systems,” said Philippe Rémy, IFAD Country Programme Manager for Mauritania. “In addition, it will reduce the country’s dependence on food imports, create jobs and increase the incomes of rural households, especially women and youth,” he added.

Mauritania imports 60 per cent of the staple food consumed in the country. Only red meat and fish are covered by domestic production while two thirds of the cereals are imported.

In addition, the food and nutritional situation of the population of Mauritania is of concern. According to the 2015 food security survey conducted by the National Food Security Commission supported by the World Food Programme, 23.8 per cent of households in southern Mauritania are food insecure.

The first phase of PRODEFI will focus on horticulture, poultry farming, goat milk and non-timber forest products. Inland fishing will be tested around Lake Foum Gleita at the beginning of the project.

Following market studies, new income generating crops or activities will be defined for the second phase of the project. In addition, the project will support the competitive production systems to respond to market demand. The farmers will receive training and advisory services associated with the production models.

To address the issue of climate change, the project will facilitate, through the ASAP grant, the use of solar energy — from production to storage and processing – and promote sustainable management techniques for natural resources such as water, pasturelands and plant resources.

PRODEFI will also promote a better match between supply and demand. It will develop the public-private-producers partnerships in the interest of smallholder farmers and facilitate their access to markets.

Since 1980, IFAD has financed 14 rural development programmes and projects in Mauritania for a total cost of $342.3 million, with an IFAD investment of $136.2 million directly benefiting 190,470 rural households.

IFAD invests in rural people, empowering them to reduce poverty, increase food security, improve nutrition and strengthen resilience. Since 1978, we have provided about US$18 billion in grants and low-interest loans to projects that have reached some 462 million people. IFAD is an international financial institution and a specialized United Nations agency based in Rome – the UN’s food and agriculture hub.

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