Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya (AWAK)

The issue

Kenya is home to more than 46 million people. Over a third of Kenyan people suffer from food security and malnutrition each year, with children especially at risk. Nearly three quarters of Kenyans rely on agriculture for all or part of their incomes, yet only 20 percent of Kenyan land is suitable for farming – with most not used to its full capacity, with most farmers relying on rain for irrigation.

This complex situation - with issues ranging from hunger, to poverty, to a lack of access to education and economic opportunities - means support is needed to help Kenyans live fulfilled, safe lives now, and reach their potential in the future.

Many projects are underway throughout the country to help people in need. Croda Foundation is delighted to be supporting the Association of Women in Agriculture, Kenya (AWAK) with a project to tackle the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to ensure - No poverty, Zero hunger, Quality education, Decent work and economic growth, Life on land and Partnership for the goals.

The Association of Women in Agriculture, Kenya

The Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya (AWAK) is a women-led organisation whose mission is to empower women towards self-sustaining projects, to lift them from poverty. Empowering women to empower their society.

AWAK was conceived to transform agriculture in the country from conventional subsistence farming to advanced climate smart agriculture. This is achieved through projects which train people in good agronomical practice and climate resilience, adding value, promoting financial inclusion and advocacy.

By building the capacity of women and young farmers to become informed decision makers and key industry players, they are aiming to reach and impact at least 4 million women in 10 years – building urban food security, value addition and advocacy at both at household and national levels.

Their programmes aim to empower women, maximise sustainable productivity, improve nutrition, the environment – and people’s lives. In doing so, they are contributing towards Climate Action, Women’s economic empowerment and food security.

Find out more about AWAK, Kenya on their website: https://awak-kenya.org/

The project

Croda Foundation has granted AWAK £30,000 to support their Resilient Recovery project for vulnerable mothers living in urban slums. 

The project is providing women in urban slums with alternative sources of livelihoods that include smart urban farming, food processing, environmentally friendly briquette making for clean energy, and business development. 

Phase one of the project started in 2020 to cushion vulnerable urban households from the adverse effects of Covid-19, which had a particularly heavy effect on women-led households – with many losing their sole source of income. The Resilient Recovery project re-assures these women that all is not lost and that they can be able to use their limited spaces around them to run economic activities that can transform their livelihoods:

☑️ Urban farming - improved kitchen gardens
☑️Home baking - using energy-efficient locally fabricated ovens to produce Biochar - boosting soil health
☑️ Briquette making – for clean fuel

The project is helping women transform small urban spaces usually used as ‘dumping sites’ into productive spaces growing vegetables for family consumption, and for economic gain.

Croda expertise and know-how

This project is utilising Croda’s business management expertise and know-how from Croda South Africa

Smart science to improve lives

This approach is underpinned by Croda’s philosophy to use Smart science to improve lives.™

Find out more on Croda Inc’s website: https://www.croda.com/en-gb/smart-science

Impact

10 women now lease spaces to increase their vegetable production – meeting market demand. 
75% of phase one participants now have access to banking
60% of those women now operate active bank accounts with access to credit

1,000 women directly benefiting 
Every woman trained will train three more mothers
Up to 200,000 people could be reached by the project