Towards Equality: Enhancing Female Participation in Smallholder Farming and Renewable Energy in East Africa

In East Africa's agricultural and renewable energy sectors, a recent survey conducted by Ashoka East Africa reveals a significant gender gap: among the 140 innovators driving advancements in smallholder farming through the use of renewable energy, only a third are women. This underscores an urgent need to address gender inequality in these critical industries. 

Ashoka’s report, titled "Towards Improved Livelihoods for Small-Holder Farmers in East Africa," was conducted with the aim of strengthening the adoption of solar photovoltaic (PV)solutions within key agricultural value chains. To achieve this goal, a survey was conducted to identify and map innovators operating in the agricultural space and distributed renewable energy sector across East Africa. 

A key highlight and outcome of the report was that male innovators outnumber their female counterparts. This local disparity aligns with global trends: according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), women account for only about 32% of the renewable energy workforce worldwide, highlighting a similar underrepresentation on a global scale. Both these results show systemic barriers that restrict women's access to opportunities and resources. 

Women possess equal innovative potential and must be empowered to contribute fully to agriculture and renewable energy sectors. These sectors are pivotal for food security and employment in East Africa, making it imperative to remove obstacles hindering women's economic empowerment. While men have historically dominated these fields, empowering women not only enhances their economic standing but also uplifts livelihoods across the region. Research consistently shows that when women have equitable access to resources, productivity in agriculture and renewable energy sectors experiences significant gains. 

To achieve the project’s aim of strengthening the adoption of solar PV solutions within key agricultural value chains, some of the solutions highlighted by innovators include mentorship. In this case, this is mentoring and encouraging more women to engage actively in these sectors. Women can leverage their involvement to develop innovative solutions that enhance productivity and sustainability in smallholder farming. By empowering women, we can drive the innovation in the agricultural and renewable energy space through the adoption of solar PV technologies that are essential for improving agricultural practices and overall productivity. 

While the survey sample was limited to 140 respondents, it highlighted promising innovative ideas that, with proper support, can revolutionize rural farming practices. This should inspire more women to step forward and contribute to securing East Africa's food security in an environmentally responsible manner. 

Promoting gender equality in agriculture and renewable energy sectors is not only a matter of fairness but also essential for harnessing untapped potential for inclusive and sustainable development in East Africa. Achieving this goal will significantly contribute to the adoption of solar PV solutions, thereby strengthening key agricultural value chains and improving livelihoods across the region.