Blog Women Leading Agricultural Transformation in Makueni and Machakos County Kenya
In the drought-prone counties of Machakos and Makueni, Kenya, a small but powerful innovation is transforming lives—Nyota bean, a drought-resistant variety introduced by the Pan African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA) under the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT. Faced with erratic rainfall and limited resources, women farmers like Phoebe Mwangangi and Agnes Kioko are leading the way in climate-smart agriculture, using Nyota to secure reliable harvests and sustain their families.
More than just a crop, Nyota bean represents resilience, enabling farmers to thrive despite harsh conditions. Supported by improved irrigation techniques, financial literacy programs, and community-led initiatives like the Kimatwa Women’s Sacco, these women are not only ensuring food security but also gaining economic independence. Their journey showcases the power of targeted agricultural solutions in fostering climate resilience, gender empowerment, and sustainable farming practices.
A seed of hope
The story of resilience in Kenya’s drought-prone Machakos and Makueni counties begins with the Nyota bean.
“Before Nyota, each season was a gamble,” explains Phoebe Mwangangi, a dedicated farmer from Makindu. “Our crops depended entirely on unpredictable rains, and one dry spell could mean hunger for several years.”
Known for its drought resistance, Nyota is more than a seed; it’s a lifeline for farmers facing erratic rainfall and increasingly arid conditions. For Phoebe, Nyota represents newfound stability.
The resilient seed has now changed that gambling narrative, allowing her to cultivate beans even under harsh conditions and secure a reliable yield.
Traditionally marginalized from accessing resources, women farmers in these communities’ face challenges such as limited land ownership rights, inadequate financial services, and restricted access to agricultural training. Now, women like Phoebe, and Agnes Kioko from Kalawa, are overcoming significant barriers to become leaders in climate-smart agriculture.
These women are building resilient farms, securing their families’ livelihoods, and transforming their communities with the help of the resilient Nyota bean variety, introduced by the Bean Programme of the Pan African Bean Research Alliance (PABRA), part of the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT.
Nyota bean better for irrigation, nutrition, cooking
The Nyota bean is part of a broader climate-smart approach introduced by PABRA that also includes water-efficient irrigation techniques. This approach responds directly to the needs of women farmers, enabling them to better manage the scarce water resources in the region.
These new methods have had a transformative effect, especially for women like Agnes Kioko, who recalls the struggle of previous seasons when water was sparse. “Having water-efficient systems has given us hope,” she says, highlighting that improved irrigation now ensures crops receive sufficient hydration without wasting resources.
The Nyota bean variety has not only brought resilience to farming but also improved the nutritional health of communities in Makueni. Enriched with zinc, this bean is particularly beneficial for pregnant mothers and children, addressing key nutritional needs in vulnerable groups.
The quick cooking time has also made it a favorite among women juggling farming and household responsibilities. With Nyota, families enjoy nutritious meals that are easy to prepare, fostering better health and well-being across the region.
Phoebe’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of climate-smart agriculture. With the adoption of water-efficient irrigation techniques on her farm in Makindu, she has achieved what was once unthinkable—growing thriving crops even during the harshest dry seasons.
Her success has not only ensured food security for her family but also positioned her as a leader in her community. Today, Phoebe shares her knowledge and techniques with fellow farmers, empowering them to adopt sustainable practices and build resilience against climate change. Her farm is not just a source of sustenance; it’s a hub of inspiration and learning for her entire community.
Innovations must directly respond to women’s needs
Jean-Claude Rubyogo, head of PABRA, attributes the success of PABRA’s work to its community-centered approach, collaboration, and adaptability to local needs.He emphasizes that “listening to farmers and involving them in the design of agricultural solutions is at the heart of our success”—a philosophy that ensures the solutions provided genuinely address the challenges women farmers face.
By fostering partnerships with farmers, local organizations and government bodies, PABRA tailors its interventions—like drought-resistant seeds and financial training— to fit the specific environmental and economic conditions of each community. This inclusive, adaptive model has not only improved crop yields but also lets farmers be informed decision-makers, reinforcing their resilience and sustainable progress across the region.
Jean Claude Rubyogo
Leader, Global Bean Program, and Director, Pan Africa Bean Research Alliance (PABRA)
Financial training builds women’s economic independence
Alongside seeds and irrigation support, financial literacy training has been a critical component of the intervention. For many women in these communities, access to credit and financial services was almost impossible due to traditional land ownership norms. Through training sessions, women have not only learned to manage finances but also gained the skills to access credit, invest strategically, and save for the future.
The Kimatwa Women’s Sacco is a shining example of this transformation. With training in financial literacy, members of this women’s cooperative have pooled resources and accessed loans, investing in tools, seeds, and water storage systems.
“Before, the idea of applying for a loan was intimidating,” shares Ms. Theresiah Ngonze, Chair Kimatwa Sacco.
“Now, we understand how to navigate financial services, and we’re investing in the future of our farms, we have a dream to have more women understand the importance of Agriculture in the community to improve their livelihood through the many packages the Sacco provides.”
With better financial knowledge, these women are creating a sustainable model that strengthens their individual incomes and bolsters the community’s resilience. Through capacity-building programs like these, women have gained the knowledge and confidence to advocate for their rights, demonstrating how involving women in land decisions can uplift entire communities.
By pooling resources, accessing loans, and collectively investing in agriculture, the women of Kimatwa Sacco have shown that when women can influence land use, the results are transformative.
Resilience is about more than just the next drought
Resilience goes beyond adapting to immediate challenges; it encompasses the broader goal of giving women farmers the opportunities to sustain themselves and their families in the face of climate change.
Through PABRA’s intervention, women like Phoebe, Agnes, and the members of Kimatwa Women’s Sacco have become change agents in their communities. They are building networks, sharing knowledge, and influencing local agricultural practices to promote sustainable farming.
"What they really mean, they want to have agency in their farming, voice in their farming, purpose in their farming, said Phoebe Mwngangi, who is helping identify women farmers in Machakos and Makueni counties that are transforming local agriculture, showcasing sustainable farming and motivating the next generation of women to agripreneurship. Now, no longer only feeding their families and generating income, they are advancing gender equality and climate resilience, navigating historic barriers to access resources, and driving agricultural innovation.”
Their story is an inspiring example of the transformative power of targeted support. Given the right tools—drought-resistant Nyota seeds, for instance—they become catalysts for change, guiding their communities toward sustainable, equitable futures.
Nyota seed represents resilience and innovation, showing how a small scientific advancement can create significant improvements in livelihoods, empowerment and environmental sustainability.
This story highlights the importance of science-based solutions in supporting gender empowerment, climate action and sustainable food systems as a beacon of hope and inspiration towards a more equitable and resilient world.
