Women’s Day 2026: A dairy farmer taking action for women in agriculture

At 50 years old, Racheal stands confidently on her dairy farm in Meru County, Kenya, surrounded by the cows that have shaped her life’s journey.

Today, she is not only a successful dairy farmer but also a respected cooperative leader, mentor, and advocate for women in agriculture. Her story reflects resilience, growth, and action, a true example of how women are claiming their space in agricultural leadership. 

Racheal’s journey into dairy farming began in 2011 when she purchased a piece of land and received a heifer from her mother. Having grown up in a farming family, agriculture was already part of her life. Her father worked in the Ministry of Agriculture, and her mother kept dairy cows at home. It was through watching her mother milk the cows after work that Racheal first learned the skill that would later define her livelihood. 

“I had never seen my mother buy milk,” she recalls. “But after I got married, I had to buy milk because we didn’t have a cow. That is when I realized how important it was to keep dairy cows.” 

Starting with just one cow, Racheal gradually grew her herd with support from her husband, who later entrusted her with managing the farm. Over time, she expanded her knowledge and adopted improved farming practices, including silage making, which she began in 2017 by renting land to grow maize for fodder. 

Today, her farm has grown into a model farm with 15 cows, producing up to 164 litres of milk per day.

Her daily routine begins before sunrise, working alongside an employee to ensure the cows are fed and milked on time. Through careful record keeping, a skill she learned from her mother, and proper farm management, Racheal has built a sustainable dairy enterprise that supports her family. 

Beyond her farm, Racheal has become a key leader in her Nyaki dairy cooperative. Her leadership journey began in 2016 when she was elected to represent farmers at the cooperative level as part of an effort to increase women’s participation. At the time, few women held leadership positions despite being actively involved in dairy farming. 

“In many cases, women attend the meetings, but the milk belongs to the man,” she explains. “It is not easy for women to stand up and be heard, especially in leadership spaces.” 

In 2021, determined to improve transparency and accountability, Racheal ran for and was elected chairperson of her cooperative after noticing management challenges. Previously, decisions were made without involving members. 

Working together with other leaders, she helped revise the cooperative’s bylaws to improve governance and participation. These changes strengthened accountability and opened leadership opportunities to more farmers. 

The journey has not been easy. As a woman leader, Racheal has faced resistance and scepticism. Some openly questioned her leadership, but through persistence and results, she has gradually earned respect. 

Racheal’s leadership skills were further strengthened through the Economic Recovery to the Impact of Covid-19 on Agri-Food Value Chain in Kenya project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and implemented by AVSI Foundation in partnership with E4Impact and county governments. 

Through the project, Racheal participated in governance and leadership trainings that strengthened her ability to manage cooperative affairs. She learned about the Business Model Canvas and how to develop a business plan for her cooperative, which helped shape its growth strategy. 

One of the most significant achievements was securing a shilling-to-shilling matching grant, which enabled the cooperative to purchase a milk transportation truck. The truck has significantly improved milk transportation by reducing spillage and spoilage and ensuring timely delivery to the market. 

“This truck has made a big difference,” Racheal says. “Before, milk could spoil on the way. Now we can transport it safely and on time.” 

Through conflict management training, she also developed skills that help her navigate leadership challenges and work more effectively with fellow cooperative members. 

“Leadership is about listening and working together,” she explains. “The training helped me understand how to manage conflicts and bring people together.” 

Racheal also contributed to the development of cooperative policies, including procurement guidelines that will help ensure transparency and accountability even beyond her leadership term. 

Through project-supported trainings and benchmarking visits, Racheal gained exposure to new farming methods and technologies. She improved her silage management and adopted better feeding strategies, ensuring her cows have enough feed throughout the year. 

She has also become a source of knowledge for others. Many farmers, especially women, visit her farm to learn. Some even call her “Mwalimu,” meaning teacher, because she freely shares her knowledge and experience. 

“I invite farmers to my farm so they can learn,” she says. “When we learn together, we grow together.” 

Through mentorship and training, Racheal has helped inspire women and youth to venture into dairy farming as a source of income and stability. 

Racheal’s story reflects the reality faced by many women farmers, hardworking and capable, yet often underrepresented in decision-making spaces. Through determination, training, and opportunity, she has broken barriers and taken her place as a leader. 

Her journey reflects the spirit of International Women’s Day 2026: Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls. By stepping into leadership, participating in decision-making, and mentoring others, Racheal is helping ensure that women farmers have a voice and equal opportunities. 

“Women should accept that they can be farmers,” she says. “When you have cows, you have income. But you must plan well and keep learning.” 

Racheal’s vision for the future is ambitious. She hopes to grow her herd to 30 cows and continue improving the quality of her milk through better breeds, particularly Jersey crosses known for high-quality milk. 

She is also mentoring her son, who is studying software engineering and is already exploring ways to integrate technology into the farm. 

For Racheal, dairy farming is more than a livelihood, it is a pathway to independence, leadership, and community development. 

The Economic Recovery to the Impact of Covid-19 on Agri-Food Value Chain in Kenya project supports dairy farmers in Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu counties to recover from the economic effects of COVID-19 while strengthening the dairy value chain for long-term resilience. 

Funded by: Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) 

Implemented by: AVSI Foundation in partnership with E4Impact and County Governments 

Duration: September 2022 – September 2025 

Reach: 15,000 smallholder farmers across 30 dairy cooperatives 

Through these interventions, the project has strengthened dairy cooperatives, improved farmer incomes, and supported leaders like Racheal to drive change in their communities.