From Practice to Impact: Women Leading Watershed Restoration Efforts

Rural female farmers produce 50% to 80% of the world’s food, yet they often gain fewer benefits from agricultural extension programs compared to men. This study examined a rural development program focused on three areas: economic empowerment through village savings associations, environmental restoration via regenerative agriculture training, and “spiritual renewal” to enhance participants’ agency and mutual aid. The research evaluated its impact on multidimensional poverty among smallholder farmers in Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, using an adapted index (Alkire & Santos, 2014). Results showed that women benefited significantly from the program, experiencing even greater positive changes than men in all three areas. This highlights the importance of tailored interventions that address the specific needs of female farmers, ensuring they receive equitable support and resources in agriculture.