When an agriculture project kicked off in three counties in July 2020, little did people know the profound impact it would have on their lives. The initiative, which seemed like any other at its inception, would go on to transform the livelihoods of many in ways they could have never imagined. The four-year climate smart agriculture project started in Kitui, Laikipia and West-Pokot counties was initiated to economically empower women in these regions.
The Kenya Economic Empowerment of Women through Climate Smart Agriculture in arid and Semi-Arid areas (WEE-CSA) project, is funded by Korea International Cooperation Agency (Koica) and implemented by UN women, among other implementing partners.
A total of 2,346 women have benefited, leading to their massive economic transformation.
The women farmers rewriting Turkana narrative The commercial kitchen gardens changing Kitui womens fortunesOne such woman who has benefited from the project is Avia Munyao from Mutomo in Kitui. She has received training on climate-smart agriculture, enabling her to develop new farming techniques. After applying these techniques, she has recorded bumper harvests for numerous seasons, both for maize and green grams.
In an interview with last year, Avia revealed that she made Sh702,000 after selling 65 bags of green grams in 2022. She utilised the money to expand her farming operations and pay school fees for her three children, one in university and two in college.
Last year, her green grams harvest yielded an impressive 80 bags, which she sold at Sh150 per kilogram, generating an income of more than Sh1 million. Avia attributes this bumper harvest to the Zai-Pit technology, introduced to her and other women in 2021, courtesy of the project.
Zai-Pit, also known as planting pits, is a water-efficient technology used in arid and semi-arid areas to maximise water utilisation by crops. It creates a micro-environment that increases drought resistance and improves crop yields, making it well-suited for ASAL areas.
In addition to her successful crop farming, Avia keeps Gala goats, which were introduced through the project. This breed is adaptive to dry weather, making it ideal for the area. She started with four goats in 2021, and her herd has now grown to more than 80 goats.
Avia makes more than Sh200 per day from selling goat milk. The mother of three reveals that she recently sold eight goats at Sh12,000 each. 'Gala goat farming has been a blessing. It is well-paying and does not require a lot of capital. It has empowered me and many other women here,' she says.
Avia's story exemplifies the tangible impact of the project, which has not only boosted her income but has also empowered her and other women in the region through sustainable farming practices and livestock rearing.
Women groups have also immensely benefited from the project. One such group is the Katalwa Women Group in Katutu village, Kauwi Ward. Ida Muthui, the group's secretary, says the project was established to address the economic struggles faced by women in the area.
Ida tells that they initially started with table banking and merry-go-rounds before transitioning to savings and later issuing soft loans to members. Group members have been beneficiaries of these soft loans, which they have used to venture into poultry keeping.
The women raise the chickens individually but sell them as a group to hotels in Nairobi at Sh350 per kilogram, Ida clarifies. 'Many women in the group are housewives who now have their own money. They are assisting in taking care of their families,' she says.
Ida adds that the poultry project has enabled the women to have their own income.
'We were poor, but we are now empowered like men. The women in the group no longer need to depend on their husbands for anything. There is more peace and love at home as women are no longer persistently asking their men for money, which often brings conflicts,' she adds.
Ida's sentiments are backed by the Rapid Assessment conducted in Kitui, Laikipia, and West Pokot Counties by UN Women and FAO, undertaken to evaluate the progress of the WEE-CSA project. The study, released by UN Women and FAO in Nairobi a fortnight ago, states that household income-related conflicts have reduced by 47 per cent, resulting in fewer households reporting disputes related to limited income, unequal income-earning opport
