Assessing gender-transformative farming approach in Kenya

Kilifi, Kenya 

FAO is supporting the baseline data collection to evaluate the impact of the Women’s Empowerment Farmer Business School (WE-FBS), a gender-transformative initiative aimed at strengthening the role of rural women in agribusiness and household decision-making. 

Developed by FAO in collaboration with KIT and CARE USA, WE-FBS promotes more equitable farming households by combining business skills training with practical gender learning. The approach empowers women in commercial agriculture while fostering shared responsibility between men and women. 

In Kenya, the initiative is being piloted in Kilifi County to support rural women in strengthening their roles in farming, income generation, and leadership, while addressing key barriers such as low literacy, language limitations, and traditional gender norms. The training model is inclusive and family-based, encouraging men and women to jointly manage farming as a business, engage in household planning, and adopt climate-resilient and economically viable practices. 

Building evidence through impact evaluation 

To assess how this approach affects socio-economic outcomes and gender dynamics, FAO is conducting an impact evaluation using a quasi-experimental design. The study follows 2 100 households, half receiving support and serving as treatment, and half as control, all part of Farmer Field Schools, over time. , . Both man and woman in each household are being interviewed.  

The ongoing baseline survey will serve as a reference point for measuring change and inform future gender-responsive agricultural programming. 

Training, piloting and quality assurance 

Ahead of data collection, FAO conducted a seven-day training for enumerators covering the survey tool, interview techniques, field protocols, and adapted the questionnaire to the local context. The field team ran a pilot in selected communities to test and refine the questionnaire and the interview protocol. During the first week of data collection, the impact evaluation team conducted filed visits to monitor interview quality and support enumerators on the ground. 

Next steps 

Full-scale data collection is ongoing and closely monitored to ensure high-quality and reliable data. Once completed, the baseline results will inform the broader impact evaluation and contribute to global learning on gender-transformative approaches in agriculture. 

By investing in inclusive programming and rigorous evidence, FAO and its partners aim to support rural women in accessing greater opportunities and building more resilient and equitable agrifood systems.