How gender-transformative innovation bundles are revolutionizing food security in Kenya

Bundling technical innovations with gender equality is transforming smallholder farming in Kenya’s semi-arid regions, boosting yields by 80% while empowering women farmers. In the drought-prone landscapes of Makueni County, Kenya, farming communities are not just approaching farming with better seeds or climate-smart techniques but also addressing social inequalities alongside agronomic challenges.

For decades, agricultural development programs have focused on single-technology solutions: distribute improved seeds, teach conservation agriculture, or provide mechanization. Yet adoption rates remained low, especially among women farmers who constitute the majority of smallholder producers in sub-Saharan Africa.