Gender inequality is therefore dominant in the sector and this constitutes a bottleneck to development, without access to capital, skills and tools to assist them in farming activities.
Toward this goal, Ento Women Network which was established in cognizance of this and the shortcoming in extension services for women farmers, supplies ento-farms fertilizer that is 20% more efficient than the traditional fertilizer. The ento-farms fertilizer employs a conversion process using black soldier fly larvae to convert organic and household waste into fertilizers. Again, we also empower rural women farmers a voice and effectively championed their cause for equality by granting them access to skills and training modules on farm management, pest control and financing. In the rural community of Kasoa, we are ensuring that women farmers have better access to farm inputs and credits despite the barriers that remain in the sector.

Women are an integral part of the African farming structure, shouldering the primary responsibility for food security in Africa yet development agencies have devoted minimal resources to researching the impact of their agricultural policies and new techniques on the wellbeing of Africa’s women farmers. The time has come to advocate for a paradigm shift: there is an urgent need for a gendered approach to agricultural policy in Africa, and we must all rise to the occasion.

The Ento Women Network project aims to empower women farmers by supporting them with farming inputs, credit facilities, as well as training modules on farm management practices. Currently, we focus on providing organic eco-friendly fertilizer to women crop farmers and women livestock farmers in rural areas at low cost. This has been a huge success as we have helped our beneficiaries reduce farming operational expenditure by 30%, increase their harvest and enhanced their role in contributing to the discourse around farm development in their rural communities. We believe that the African woman has proved to be more than a mere “bench-warming” spectator, even in the midst of the male-dominated professional congregation. If given the opportunity, women can effectively participate in policymaking and create greater impact.

Women are an integral part of the African farming structure, shouldering the primary responsibility for food security in Africa. The time has come to advocate for a paradigm shift: an urgent need exists in Africa for a gendered approach to agricultural policy, and we must all rise to the occasion.