AGRA

For years, Mrs. Nzomo watched as farming consumed nearly every waking hour of her family’s life. Alongside her husband, she toiled under the scorching Kitui sun, planting, weeding, and harvesting, only to reap disappointing yields. The relentless cycle of labor left little time for anything else—house chores were rushed, personal time was limited, and the burden of farming weighed heavily on her shoulders.

“Before,” she began, her voice soft but filled with conviction, “our lives were consumed by the farm. From sunrise to sunset, it was endless work. We were always tired, always worried about the next harvest. It was hard.”

The traditional farming methods they relied on were exhausting and unproductive, yielding little despite the immense effort they put in. With soil fertility declining and the effects of climate change making farming even harder, she often felt trapped in an endless struggle.

Her husband’s struggles with traditional farming had taken a toll on the entire family. The meagre harvests meant long hours, constant worry, and little time for anything else. “There was barely enough food, and I had no time for my own chores, let alone anything else,” she explained.

But everything changed when her husband embraced regenerative agriculture through the Strengthening Regenerative Agriculture in Kenya (STRAK) project. With new techniques such as zai pits, mulching, and integrating livestock into farming, their workload was drastically reduced. One of the biggest game-changers was mechanized land preparation—they now hire a tractor to dig planting basins, significantly reducing the time and energy spent on the farm.

“Farming has become easier and more enjoyable. With the use of regenerative practices, I now have more time to take care of my home, my family, focus on personal projects, and even help my husband more effectively in the fields,” she says with a smile.

Not only has regenerative farming given her more time, but it has also transformed their family’s livelihood. They now produce enough food to sustain their household, with surplus produce for sale. The additional income has allowed them to invest in livestock, beekeeping, and poultry farming, diversifying their sources of revenue.

For Mrs. Nzomo, the benefits of regenerative farming go beyond productivity—they extend to empowerment. She is now in a better position to contribute to decision-making on the farm and actively participate in its management. “Before, farming felt like a burden, but now I actually enjoy it. Seeing the results of our efforts—healthy crops, well-fed animals, and financial stability—motivates me every day,” she says.

Encouraged by the transformation in her own life, Mrs. Nzomo is calling on other farmers, especially women, to embrace regenerative agriculture. “Farming doesn’t have to be exhausting and unrewarding. With the right techniques, it becomes productive, sustainable, and even enjoyable. I urge other women to take part in regenerative farming—it will change your life just as it has changed mine.”

She also emphasized the importance of community and knowledge sharing. “We need to learn from each other and support each other,” she said. “Regenerative agriculture is not just about farming; it’s about building a better future for our families and our community.”

As the sun set over the Nzomo farm, casting a golden glow over the thriving crops and contented livestock, Mrs. Nzomo’s words echoed with a powerful message: regenerative agriculture is not just a farming technique; it’s a pathway to a more fulfilling and abundant life.

Approximately 180 kilometres from Nairobi lies the village of Kithumula, also known as Kwa Mutonga. The residents of this village in Kitui County largely depends on agriculture for their livelihood, with most households practising crop and livestock farming.

Kitui County, renowned for its abundant production of fruits, spans an impressive 30,496 square kilometres, making it one of Kenya’s largest counties.

Besides agriculture, the county is rich in natural resources, including coal, limestone, iron ore, and building sand. Additionally, it is home to almost half of Tsavo East National Park, offering significant tourism potential.

Yet, despite its agricultural potential, smallholder farmers like Mr. Nzomo Mitau have long struggled with declining soil fertility, land degradation, and the adverse effects of climate change.

Traditional farming methods were failing them, and Nzomo, who has an 11-acre farmland, could only harvest a mere one bag of produce per acre. This meagre output barely covered his family’s needs, let alone leave any surplus for reinvestment. “I had to dig into my savings just to keep the farm running and support my family. Traditional farming was taking a toll on me,” he recalls.

The Turning Point: Embracing Regenerative Agriculture

Hope came knocking when Nzomo encountered representatives from the Cereal Growers Association (CGA) based in Kitui county, which was implementing the Strengthening Regenerative Agriculture in Kenya (STRAK) project in Kitui and Makueni counties. Funded by the IKEA Foundation through the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), the project aimed to build climate resilience and food security for smallholder farmers by promoting regenerative agricultural practices.

Nzomo began his journey into regenerative agriculture cautiously, dedicating just one acre to test the new methods. To his amazement, the yield from this single acre exceeded what he had previously harvested from his entire 11-acre farm. “My neighbours were surprised and thought I had done something unusual to boost my produce,” he chuckles. Encouraged by the results, he expanded regenerative farming to four acres, which now yield over 40 bags of produce in total.

Diversification and Sustainability

With the newfound success, Nzomo made a bold decision—rather than continuing to struggle with low-yield traditional farming on all 11 acres, he diversified his farming activities. He allocated the remaining seven acres to livestock rearing, beekeeping, and poultry farming, creating multiple revenue streams.

“I used the income from my first regenerative harvest to buy my first Friesian cows in one of the local dairy farms. Before that, I only had local breeds, which produced very little milk,” he says.

Today, he integrates his livestock and poultry farming with his crop production, practicing a circular economy approach where farm waste is converted into organic manure, reducing dependence on chemical fertilizers. His beekeeping venture is also thriving, providing honey for sale and supporting pollination on his farm.

The Science Behind Regenerative Agriculture

Nzomo’s transformation is a result of adopting regenerative agriculture techniques promoted by the STRAK project.

These practices include ripping, planting basins, and zai pits to enhance water retention and soil fertility, along with soil and water conservation structures to prevent erosion. Agroforestry has been introduced to improve biodiversity and provide additional income through fruit trees, while composting and the use of farmyard manure naturally enrich the soil. Mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds, while integrating livestock, poultry, and crops creates a balanced farming ecosystem. Pasture farming supports livestock feed production while acting as a protective ground cover, and apiculture (beekeeping) enhances pollination while generating extra income.

A Model for Sustainable Farming

Nzomo is now a model farmer in Kitui County, proving that sustainable agricultural practices can not only increase yields but also improve overall livelihoods. His success story is inspiring other farmers in the region to adopt regenerative agriculture. Through the CGA’s Village-Based Advisors (VBAs), farmers receive training and access to quality inputs, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these practices.

With the STRAK project expected to benefit 20,000 farmers in Kitui and Makueni, the goal is to see a 20-25% increase in yields across the region. Additionally, the initiative aims to produce, aggregate, and market over 6,000 metric tons of pulses and 4,000 metric tons of cereals, with an estimated value of €4,018,634.

As Kitui County continues its journey toward climate-resilient agriculture, Nzomo’s story serves as a beacon of hope for thousands of farmers looking to break free from the cycle of low yields and financial struggles. Through regenerative agriculture, the land is healing, and so are the livelihoods of those who depend on it.

By H.E. Hailemariam Dessalegn, Board Chair of AGRA & Hon. Musa Kpaka, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Government of Sierra Leone

Agriculture as Economic Engine

For decades, agriculture in Africa has been stuck in a cycle of survival—producing just enough to get by but never enough to transform. Sierra Leone is determined to change that, drawing lessons from countries like Tanzania and Ethiopia, where smart investments have turned agriculture into a powerful economic engine.

With over 5 million hectares of fertile land and a population with an average age of 17, Sierra Leone has the foundation to make agriculture a driving force for its economic transformation. Yet, 35% of staple rice is still imported, draining up to $200 million annually, while 18% of the population faces severe food insecurity.

The urgency for change was clear.

President Julius Maada Bio’s Feed Salone program, launched in October 2023, is driving this change, making food systems transformation a national priority to achieve food security and inclusive economic growth. The government’s commitment is clear—it has increased the agriculture budget from 2% to 7% in 2024, with a target of exceeding 10% in the coming years. Investments in infrastructure, agribusiness, and priority value chains like rice, cassava, poultry, and cocoa are set to create jobs, expand trade, and position farming as a competitive and profitable sector, especially for women and youth.

Key Ingredients for Food Systems Transformation

Building a resilient food system is tough, but the cost of standing still is even higher.

Global conflicts and climate change have disrupted supply chains, driven up prices, and exposed the risks of over-reliance on imports. In 2023, Sierra Leone saw food inflation soar above 50%, a harsh reminder that depending on volatile international markets is not a viable path forward. A reminder that we should grow what we eat on the continent.

Shifting from small-scale farming to a competitive agricultural economy requires the right conditions. Strong political will must translate into action, with institutions working together, smallholder farmers gaining real power, businesses expanding, and policies unlocking the bottlenecks so agriculture can truly thrive.

A Whole-of-Government Approach to Food Systems Transformation

Feed Salone is a presidential flagship program that brings the entire government together to drive this transformation. The Presidential Council for Feed Salone ensures that food is treated as a national priority, not just an agriculture issue. This coordinated approach aligns key ministries—agriculture, finance, trade, infrastructure, and environment—to create a strong, unified food system. It also ensures that government institutions speak the same language, streamline efforts, and engage the public in a shared national mission.

Farmers Must Have Power, Not Just Tools

Policies don’t transform economies—farmers, businesses, and markets do. Sierra Leone is putting farmers at the centre of its transformation, ensuring they have a stronger voice, better market access, and real economic power.

Smallholder farmers cannot remain disconnected from the market, with no say in pricing. Organizing into cooperatives gives them leverage—allowing them to negotiate better prices, secure stable contracts, and invest in shared resources like storage, machinery, and processing facilities. This shift turns farmers into business owners, giving them the ability to scale, process, and export their produce.

Investing Where It Makes Sense

Transforming agriculture requires strategic investment, not regional balancing. Sierra Leone is directing resources to value chains with the strongest potential to scale, starting with its rice cluster strategy, which channels investment where productivity can be maximized.

Trade must also be approached with a global mindset. Competing internationally means shifting from exporting raw commodities to building a strong agro-processing industry. Sierra Leone is focusing on key cash crops like cocoa, ensuring they meet international standards and secure premium prices in global markets. This will create jobs, generate wealth, and build a more resilient economy. Opening agribusiness opportunities for women and young entrepreneurs will ensure inclusive and sustainable growth.

Applying Private Sector Lense

For agriculture to thrive, businesses need room to scale. The government does not need to run businesses—it needs to remove the barriers that hold them back.

Infrastructure gaps, limited access to financing, and slow regulatory processes are stifling agribusiness expansion. Fixing what is possible—improving market access, cutting port delays, and making land acquisition easier—will allow businesses to grow faster and create more opportunities for farmers.

Resilience, Resilience, Resilience

Sierra Leone is one of the top 10 most climate-vulnerable countries, making resilience an urgent priority. The country must build a food system that can withstand shocks, adapt quickly, and ensure a stable food supply, especially in times of crisis.

The government is expanding irrigation, rolling out first-ever crop insurance, and scaling up climate-smart agriculture, ensuring that Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector is not just surviving these shocks but built to thrive despite them.

Partnership with AGRA: Driving Sustainable Transformation

AGRA is driving food systems transformation by helping governments shape better policies, strengthen institutions, and attract smart investments that deliver real impact. Its partnership with Sierra Leone is a strong example of this approach in action.

AGRA has been a steadfast ally in advancing Sierra Leone’s food systems transformation. It played a key role in securing a $100 million pledge during the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali to establish a special rice agro-processing zone. AGRA has also helped refine Sierra Leone’s transformation pathways by identifying new investable projects and strengthening institutional capacity through the establishment of the Agricultural Transformation Office.

Sierra Leone is also set to translate over $1 billion in pledges from development banks and donors in 2025 into concrete investments in agro-processing, livestock, and other high-value chains. But development funding alone is not enough—unlocking private sector capital is essential. Food security must be seen as an investment opportunity, not just a development challenge.

Unlocking Africa’s potential

Sierra Leone’s push for food security and economic growth through agriculture is part of a larger movement on the continent, and AGRA’s mission is to catalyse that growth across Africa. The international community must now match this momentum with action.

Development finance institutions and agribusiness leaders must scale technology-driven agricultural projects that can be replicated continent-wide. Stronger regional trade policies under AfCFTA will reduce import dependency and unlock Africa’s internal markets. Climate resilience must also take center stage—green financing, insurance, irrigation, and mechanization will protect farmers and boost productivity.

Africa’s agribusiness sector must grow from within. With the continent’s food market set to reach $1 trillion by 2030, multinational agribusinesses, financial institutions, and African entrepreneurs have a major opportunity to invest in homegrown innovation that drives sustainable growth and secures Africa’s place in the global agricultural economy.

Shifting into high gear

Across Africa, leaders are recognizing the need to catalyze the growth of sustainable food systems, turning agriculture into a driver of economic transformation and resilience. The next ten-year CAADP strategy reflects this shift, pushing for stronger political commitment and a whole-of-government approach to food systems transformation.

Countries that empower smallholder farmers, invest strategically, and create space for agribusiness will be the ones shaping Africa’s future. Sierra Leone is at a defining moment—with strong political will, clear strategy, and bold investments, it is moving with purpose.

The challenge now is keeping up the momentum, tackling bottlenecks, and making sure Feed Salone delivers on its promise. Sierra Leone is showing what’s possible.

The world should take notice.

1. What does this year’s IWD mean to you based on the theme?

 This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) theme “Accelerate Action” reignites my call as a woman country program manager to enhance emphasis on the urgency and importance of taking swift, decisive steps to achieve gender equality.

In my role I have several opportunities to do this and include: –

1. Leadership and Advocacy: As a leader, I am in a pivotal position to lead initiatives that promote gender equality. This involves advocating for policies and programs that address systemic barriers and biases against women.
2. Empowerment and Support: The theme encourages me to focus on empowering women and girls in my community. Under the AGRA Youth for the Future of Agriculture (YEFFA) program, I am keen to ensure 80% of those participating in the program are young women. My focus is to be intentional about creating opportunities for young women for skills enhancement, economic empowerment, and leadership development.
3. Collaboration and Solidarity: “Accelerate Action” calls for collective efforts. I am working with other organizations, stakeholders, and community leaders to amplify the impact of gender equality initiatives.
4. Innovation and Implementation: The theme highlights the need for innovative solutions and effective implementation of strategies and models that have been proven to work. Am therefore leverage data and best practices to design and execute impactful programs, especially for the women.
5. Raising Awareness: Part of accelerating action is raising awareness about gender equality issues. I am leveraging on strategic platforms to support raise the voice of young women, especially the vulnerable, those abled differently, internally displaced and refugees, to educate, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate women’s achievements.
6. Supporting Grassroots Efforts: This year’s theme also calls for supporting grassroots organizations that are making a difference. As a leader I will seek to identify more such organizations, forge collaboration and support these groups to ensure their efforts are sustained and scaled.
7. How is the country’s programmatic work inspiring you to make a difference in society?

AGRA Tanzania is implementing several programs supported by diverse partners, with the key ambition of creating work opportunities for youth, especially young women. The country programmatic work is incredibly inspiring for me, especially as a woman in a leadership role. I draw my inspiration from the following: –

1. Seeing Tangible Impact: Witnessing the positive changes that programs are bringing to communities especially to women is deeply motivating. Whether it’s improved access to education, healthcare, or economic opportunities, seeing the direct benefits of my work has fueled my passion to continue making a difference.
2. Empowering Others: Being in a position to empower other women and girls can be a powerful source of inspiration. Helping them overcome challenges and achieve their potential can create a ripple effect, inspiring more women to take on leadership roles and drive change.
3. Building Resilience: Working on country programs often involves overcoming significant obstacles. This has built in me resilience and a strong sense of purpose, inspiring me to tackle even bigger challenges and advocate for systemic changes.
4. Creating Inclusive Policies: The opportunity to influence and create policies that promote gender equality and social justice has been incredibly fulfilling. Knowing that my work contributes to a more inclusive and equitable society has been a strong motivator.
5. Learning and Growth: The dynamic nature of programmatic work offers continuous learning and growth opportunities. This has inspired me to innovate and implement new strategies that address emerging issues and needs in society.
6. Networking and Collaboration: Collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including other organizations, government agencies, and community leaders, has provided me a broader perspective and inspire new ideas and approaches to making a difference.
7. Role Modeling: As a woman in a leadership position, I serve as a role model for others. My success and dedication will inspire other women and girls to pursue their dreams and contribute to societal change.
8. How do you continue building a better food systems universe for more women out there?

As a woman program manager, I have a unique opportunity to drive meaningful change in food systems and empower more women. I will do so through the following strategies:

1. Promote Gender-Inclusive Policies: Advocate for policies that ensure equal access to resources, training, and opportunities for women in agriculture and food systems. This includes landownership, financial services, and technology.
2. Support Women’s Leadership: Encourage and support women to take on leadership roles within food systems. Provide mentorship and training programs to help them develop the skills needed to lead effectively.
3. Foster Collaboration: Work with other organizations, government agencies, and community leaders to create a network of support for women in food systems. Collaborative efforts can amplify the impact of your initiatives.
4. Implement Gender-Sensitive Programs: Design and implement programs that address the specific needs and challenges faced by women in food systems. This includes considering factors such as time constraints, access to markets, and cultural norms.
5. Raise Awareness: Use my platform to raise awareness about the contributions of women in food systems and the challenges they face. Highlight success stories and advocate for greater recognition and support for women.
6. Encourage Innovation: Support and promote innovative solutions that can improve food security and empower women. This could involve new farming techniques, sustainable practices, or technology that makes food production more efficient.
7. Measure Impact: Regularly assess the impact of the programs on women’s empowerment and food security. Use data to identify areas for improvement and to demonstrate the effectiveness of the initiatives.