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How Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Leads to Higher Maize Yields in Kenya

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Women's empowerment in agriculture increases maize productivity, according to a new study from an IFPRI researcher.

The study, conducted among 707 maize farming households in western Kenya, measured women's empowerment using the Women's Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI)

Findings reveal that maize farms jointly managed by men and women are more productive when the women who tend to them are empowered.

And households with empowered women are more likely to adopt technologies that boost crop yields

Empowering women in agriculture helps reduce the gender gap and improves the productivity of farms managed by women.

Policies, programs, and projects to improve farm productivity—and consequently strengthen food security and reduce poverty—should integrate women's empowerment To learn more about the latest IFPRI research, subscribe to our monthly newsletter, IFPRI Insights

This research holds important lessons for policy makers