Imagine a world where women farmers are not just cultivating crops, but building thriving macadamia businesses. This is the reality being cultivated by the CBI Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) project in Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia Counties, Kenya, and the results are inspiring.

This project embarked on a mission to empower women through macadamia farming. By equipping them with the skills and resources to succeed, the WEE project is transforming lives and communities.

The Power of Assessment: Listening and Learning

To understand the project’s impact, a rapid assessment was conducted. This exercise involved gathering data through various methods like surveys, focus groups, and interviews with women farmers, agricultural experts, and community leaders.

The assessment served as a valuable listening tool. It allowed the project team to:

• Identify strengths: Understand the existing knowledge and practices of women farmers.
• Pinpoint challenges: Unearth the obstacles hindering their success, such as lack of access to training, resources, or markets.
• Measure progress: Gauge the project’s effectiveness in achieving its goals.

Findings that Fuel Change

The rapid assessment unearthed a wealth of information, highlighting both the project’s successes and areas for improvement. Here are some key takeaways:

• Knowledge empowers: Women who participated in the project’s training programs displayed a significant increase in their understanding of macadamia farming techniques, particularly in crop management, pest and disease control, harvesting, and storage. This newfound knowledge empowered them to improve crop yields, reduce post-harvest losses, and produce higher quality macadamia nuts.
• Income on the rise: The project directly contributed to a rise in income for participating women farmers. This financial boost translates into greater control over household finances and improved well-being for their families.
• Confidence blooms: The project fostered a sense of self-belief and entrepreneurial spirit among the women. They are now more confident in their abilities to run successful macadamia businesses.
• Challenges remain: Despite the positive strides, challenges like limited access to water and efficient de-husking methods persist. Market access issues were also identified as areas requiring further attention.

A Ripple Effect: Empowering Women, Empowering Communities

The WEE project’s impact extends far beyond individual farms. By empowering women, the project strengthens entire communities:

• Food security: Increased agricultural productivity contributes to a more stable food supply for families and communities.
• Community development: Women reinvest their earnings back into their communities, stimulating local economies.
• Role models emerge: Successful women farmers inspire others, paving the way for a future where macadamia farming thrives.

Beyond the Assessment: Unveiling Unintended Benefits

The project report revealed some fantastic unintended positive impacts:

• Improved decision-making: The project empowered women farmers, leading to a more collaborative and positive decision-making dynamic within households.
• Community engagement: The formation of women’s groups and the renewed interest in macadamia farming indicate the project’s positive impact on community engagement and empowerment.

Building a Sustainable Future

The WEE project prioritizes sustainability. Here’s how:

• Local stakeholder capacity building: The project focuses on equipping local stakeholders, including Onja Uone staff and Agricultural Extension Officers (AEOs), with the skills to continue providing training and extension services beyond the project duration.
• Stakeholder collaboration: Collaboration with county agricultural officers and agro-chemical suppliers has been instrumental in project success. This collaboration will continue to be nurtured for long-term impact.

Lessons Learned: Guiding the Way Forward

The project has identified valuable lessons that will guide future interventions:

• Phased training works: The project’s phased training approach, delivering information progressively, proved to be very effective.
• Hands-on is key: Practical training sessions were instrumental in empowering women to apply their knowledge in the field.
• Gender integration matters: Integrating gender-responsive approaches ensured the project addressed the specific needs and challenges faced by women farmers.

Challenges and Opportunities: A Look Ahead

The project acknowledges remaining challenges:

• Limited AEOs: The limited number of Agricultural Extension Officers necessitates innovative solutions for continued support.
• Production challenges: Addressing ongoing production challenges will be crucial for sustained success.
• Market access: Ensuring fair and accessible market options for the women farmers remains a priority.

Recommendations for a Brighter Future

Building on the project’s success, the following recommendations will be implemented:

• Enhanced collaboration: Greater cooperation and collaboration among stakeholders will be crucial for long-term success. Stakeholder mapping exercises will be conducted to identify key partners.
• Interactive learning: Integrating interactive elements into training sessions will further enhance the learning experience.
• Continued support and monitoring: Providing ongoing support and monitoring will ensure the project’s long-lasting impact.
• Diversification for resilience: Encouraging diversification into complementary enterprises like beekeeping will increase income opportunities and build resilience.

Overall, the CBI WEE project has demonstrated the potential for transformative change in the macadamia value chain. It highlights the importance of gender-responsive approaches, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable practices in promoting women’s economic empowerment and agricultural development.

This project serves as a beacon of hope, not just for the women farmers of Bungoma and Trans-Nzoia Counties, but for communities everywhere striving towards a more equitable and prosperous future.

Join us in empowering women farmers.

Share this story, and learn more about the project as it continues on through the next years.

Together, we can cultivate a world where women not only cultivate crops, but cultivate a brighter future for themselves, their families, and their communities.