From Fields to Markets: How Women Are Shaping Global Food Security

In rural communities worldwide, women are the backbone of agriculture and food security. They plant, harvest, process, and prepare food, while also working as entrepreneurs and wage earners. Yet, women farmers continue to face barriers—from limited access to land and finance to deep-rooted gender biases that restrict their economic potential.

On International Women’s Day, under the theme "For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment," we spotlight some of GAFSP’s transformative initiatives that are breaking these barriers.

As of December 2023, 42% of all people reached by GAFSP's publicly funded projects have been women. These projects enhance resilience to crises, climate change, and food insecurity by expanding women’s access to agricultural inputs, training, finance, and producer organizations. All GAFSP projects actively integrate gender-inclusive actions, ensuring a systematic approach to closing gender gaps and empowering women farmers.

Country-Led Strategies Driving Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture

Many GAFSP-funded projects are championing country-led approaches to strengthen women’s participation in agriculture. By addressing gender gaps and implementing inclusive policies, these initiatives are transforming rural economies and enhancing food security.

In Malawi, the Food Systems Transformation Project (FSTP) introduced a groundbreaking gender gap indicator, aiming to reduce the yield gap between female and male farmers by 25%—a crucial step toward gender equity in agricultural productivity. South Sudan’s Resilient Agricultural Development (READ) Project leveraged the International Labor Organization’s assessment tool to evaluate the gender composition of producer organizations. This ensures that women receive the resources, training, and support they need to succeed. In Laos, the Sustainable Rural Infrastructure and Watershed Management Project (SRIWMSP) is breaking barriers by issuing land titles in both men’s and women’s names. This critical step allows women farmers to access credit, financial services, and government programs, fostering economic independence.

By implementing gender-focused policies and interventions, these country-led initiatives are empowering women in agriculture, driving productivity, and building more resilient food systems worldwide.

Strengthening Women’s Representation in Agriculture Through Producer Organizations

Producer organizations (POs) are instrumental in increasing women’s access to resources, leadership roles, and decision-making platforms in agriculture. By prioritizing female representation, these initiatives are fostering economic empowerment and gender equality in rural communities.

In Haiti, the ROPAGA project has set specific targets to increase women’s participation in POs and smallholder groups, ensuring greater female leadership within governance structures. In Bangladesh, the SBKS project includes revolving loan funds with independent loan and social audit committees led by women. It also advocates for women-friendly agricultural loans and greater formal recognition of women as farmers. In CTOP project in Togo supports women-led savings and credit cooperatives, empowering female farmers to take control of their financial futures. 

Through inclusive policies and targeted interventions, these producer organization-led efforts are transforming the agricultural sector by ensuring that women farmers gain equal access to opportunities, leadership, and financial stability.

Private Sector Initiatives Driving Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture

The private sector is a key player in closing the gender gap in agriculture, providing women farmers with skills, resources, and market opportunities to enhance their productivity and financial independence.

With support from the Private Sector Window of GAFSP and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), PRAN, one of Bangladesh’s largest food processors, is empowering over 110,000 smallholder farmers, many of whom are women. Through targeted training in crop production, financial management, and food safety, female farmers have improved their yields, incomes, and market access.

PRAN’s partnership with GAFSP has boosted agricultural productivity among women farmers while ensuring higher food safety standards. As a result, the company has expanded its market reach by over 200%, benefiting both smallholder farmers and the broader agrifood system.

By investing in women’s skills, technology, and market linkages, private sector initiatives like PRAN’s are driving economic growth, food security, and gender equality across the agricultural value chain.

A Future Led by Women in Agriculture 

The empowerment of women farmers is key to building resilient and inclusive agrifood systems. By addressing barriers to land ownership, financial services, market access, and leadership, GAFSP is transforming the lives of millions of women worldwide. Ensuring women’s equal access to resources strengthens food security, economic growth, and climate resilience in rural communities. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to rights, equality, and empowerment, creating a future where women farmers are not just participants, but leaders in global food security.