Empowering women in agri-food systems with impact investing

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One of the SSNUP’s objectives is to share knowledge and offer programme stakeholders a platform to exchange their experiences. As the SSNUP knowledge manager and coordinator, ADA organised a workshop with Value for Women in November 2023 for programme stakeholders to share experiences addressing gender inequality in agri-food systems with more inclusive investment and technical assistance strategies. 

Speakers highlighted the systemic barriers women face in the agri-food systems. Women are predominantly found in low-skilled, labour-intensive activities, have limited access to resources and face disparities in employment and wages. 

Stakeholders also shared insight into the business case of investing in women. Case studies from AgDevCo’s investees revealed how gender-inclusive practices lead to improved business performance. For instance, some agri-SMEs have observed that women farmers apply the learnings from the training more effectively than men, leading to higher produce yields and quality. 

Many SSNUP investors increasingly adopt gender-lens investing and targeted gender linked actions within technical assistance projects. Both AgDevCo and Incofin comply with the 2X challenge criteria, according to which an investment in a company is 2X eligible if it fulfils one of the criteria regarding female entrepreneurship, leadership, workforce, partnership, or clientele. 

Finally, the workshop called for intentional and transformative actions, emphasising the importance of embedding gender strategies within organisations for sustained impact.