The Kenya Women Farmers Association (WoFaAK), Vihiga Chapter, on Thursday hosted a county-wide empowerment forum at Mbale Municipal Grounds to promote agro-processing, sustainable agriculture, and resilient food systems among rural women.
Held under the theme “Empowering Rural Women in Vihiga County Through Agro-Processing for Growth, Profitability, Sustainable Environmental Practices, and Resilient Food Systems,” the event attracted 25 women-led groups from across the county. Key participants included Mideva Foods, Migeda Women Community Development Empowerment (CDE), and the Sabatia Deaf Women Group.WoFaAK Vihiga Chairperson Eunice Kibeso emphasized the organization’s commitment to transforming rural livelihoods through agricultural knowledge and opportunities.
“We are sensitizing the community on the importance of agriculture, and I encourage more people, especially women, to join the association and benefit from the opportunities in agro-processing,” Kibeso said.
WoFaAK Secretary Roselyne Manono highlighted the organization’s efforts to involve elderly women in productive farming, noting that agriculture remains a viable and inclusive source of income.
Founded in 2017 through a partnership between Baberian Rural Women in Germany and Kenyan women farmers, WoFaAK has expanded to 12 counties, with Vihiga being the most recent member, joining in October 2024.
The event was supported by development partners, including the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), which expressed interest in collaborating with grassroots women farmers. Mungoma Hospital also held a free medical check-up camp at the venue as part of its community health outreach.
The forum served as a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and showcasing locally made agro-processed products. Organizers announced plans to make the event an annual affair to deepen the impact of sustainable farming and empower more women across the region.
By Welter Tiema
