Across the globe, women farmers stand as unsung architects of rural development, and as we mark this International Day of Rural Women, we celebrate these women, who are transforming their own future and that of entire rural communities.
Working hand in hand with the Louis Dreyfus Foundation and other key partners, including customers, NGOs, expert organizations and local governments, LDC is committed to empowering women farmers by providing access to resources, capacity building and networks.
Let’s explore three of our inspiring projects in collaboration with the Louis Dreyfus Foundation, that embody our shared mission.
Kenya | Agroecology Champions
In Kenya’s sunlit rural landscapes, we partner with Fert and Cereals Growers Association to support 309 farmers, 71% of whom are women who lead a sustainable farming movement rooted in agroecological practices. Through demonstration plots, they test natural fertilizers and water-saving techniques, enhancing resilience to drought. Organized into eight groups and supported by 40 trained agroecology champions, these women are creating lasting change in their communities by championing sustainable farming.
Purity, a farmer from Meru County (central Kenya), has embraced sustainable methods like minimum tillage, crop rotation and organic pest control since 2019. Five years on, she has increased yields across her 20 acres (focused on vegetable production) thanks to improved access to water (with a farm pond) and financing. Through her leadership, all 15 women in her group now follow agroecological practices and Purity has helped the group plant over 820 trees.
India | Cultivating Resilience
Our project with the Centre for microFinance supports over 5,000 women across 50 villages in India to acquire skills in sustainable farming, financial literacy, and advocacy through self-help groups. Their efforts are already yielding results: they grow crops like pearl millet and mustard, nourish their families with vegetable gardens and use water-harvesting systems to ensure year-round cultivation. Their strength lies in unity, sparking resilience that will uplift communities for generations.
Ramghani Bai, from Dhikoliya village in Tonk county (central India), was able to secure a small loan to start a vegetable garden through her self-help group, boosting her family’s access to nutrition and income.
Without irrigation, I could only cultivate during the rainy season, but I’ve now built a farm pond that fills with rainwater, and this has transformed my farm and livelihood. Last winter, I cultivated mustard on 1.25 hectares and even opened a small grocery shop with my earnings.
Argentina | Stakeholder Farming Revolution
In rural Argentina, women are leading a quiet revolution: since 2020, with the support of Fundación Aquí Es, we have helped nearly 150 families improve their livelihoods by turning challenges into opportunities. Poultry production has since soared by 60% and livestock by 40%, and access to water through new and repaired wells has brought clean water to 285 people. The creation of a cooperative is also giving women farmers a platform to sell their products, boosting both incomes and confidence.
Susana Brazik, from Las Breñas (northern Argentina), has been selling produce through the cooperative since 2020, enhancing her family’s income and access to clean water. She said:
The cooperative gives me confidence. I can negotiate fair prices for my eggs, and I see many new producers joining with enthusiasm. I’m excited for the future—this cooperative is going to grow and I’m proud to be part of it.
At LDC, we believe in the power of women to drive change – that’s why we support initiatives that foster resilience, build knowledge, and create sustainable pathways for growth, empowering women cultivate not only crops but also hope and prosperity for future generations.
Highlights:
- Kenya: 40 women champions are promoting agroecology.
- India: 5,000+ women trained in financial literacy, crop farming and livestock management.
- Argentina: 60% increase in poultry production among participating women farmers.
