As the 2025 second planting season in Samia Sub County, Busia County is in progress where most farmers are busy tilling their land in preparation of harvest most widows are still facing challenges which is due to the inefficiencies of farming in Samia Sub County and why widows haven’t yet adopted collective farming, despite its potential:
Inefficiencies in Farming Practices in Samia Sub County, Busia County is due to;
Fragmented Land Use and Small-Scale, Isolated Farming
Most widows farm on small, inherited plots averaging less than 0.5 acres.
Farming is largely subsistence-based, with no economies of scale.
Limiting bulk production and access to markets or suppliers who prefer larger volumes.
Low Adoption of Modern Inputs or Climate-Smart Techniques
Most widows rely on traditional seed saving, minimal use of organic compost or fertilizer, and rain-fed agriculture.
Irrigation, improved seeds and pest control techniques are rarely used due to cost or lack of training.
Lack of Market Linkages and Post-Harvest Losses
Farmers often sell surplus produce at roadside markets or rely on middlemen leading to low farm-gate prices.
Poor storage and timing often result in high post-harvest losses especially for perishable crops.
Limited Access to Agricultural Training and Extension Services
Widows face barriers to attending trainings due to domestic responsibilities, stigma or mobility limitations.
Government agricultural officers are stretched thin or rarely reach remote widow groups.
Widows in Samia Sub County aren’t embracing Collective Farming yet due to
1. Land Insecurity & Cultural Constraints
Many widows lack formal land rights, and communal land leasing requires permission from male relatives or community leaders, which is often denied or delayed.
Fear of disputes over land ownership discourages long-term group planning.
2. Lack of Initial Capital & Tools
Even small costs like leasing land, buying seeds, or renting water tanks are beyond reach for most widow groups without external support.
3. Limited Exposure to Successful Models
Most widows in Samia are unaware of how collective farming models work, benefits they can achieve or how to organize for shared success.
Trainings and exposure visits are rare due to funding and mobility issues.
4. Social Stigma and Isolation
Widows often experience social exclusion or emotional trauma that limits confidence in taking leadership roles or participating in group ventures.
Fear of exploitation or poor past experiences in “group projects” may cause hesitation.
Why Collective Farming is the way forward for NbWG
It reduces per-person costs of inputs, land and labor
It builds community resilience, shared decision-making and confidence
It unlocks access to bigger markets and development support
With small external funding and proper training, it can become a self-sustaining model
Empowering NbWG through COLLECTIVE FARMING brings hope among widows as supporting widows to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose is among most effective way of eradicating poverty within communities.
A heartfelt Thank You to our matching donor, John Salter. We are incredibly grateful to his generous pledge to match up to $200 in donations toward our project: Empowering Widows through Collective Farming.
This act of generosity not only doubles the impact of every contribution from EA Forum readers, but also sends a powerful message of solidarity to vulnerable widows in Samia Sub County, Kenya, who are striving to transform their livelihoods through sustainable agriculture and community-led action.
Your commitment to amplifying the support we receive is more than a financial gift—it’s a vote of confidence in widows’ dignity, resilience and potential.
As the 2025 second planting season in Samia Sub County, Busia County is in progress where most farmers are busy tilling their land in preparation of harvest most widows are still facing challenges which is due to the inefficiencies of farming in Samia Sub County and why widows haven’t yet adopted collective farming, despite its potential:
Inefficiencies in Farming Practices in Samia Sub County, Busia County is due to;
Fragmented Land Use and Small-Scale, Isolated Farming
Most widows farm on small, inherited plots averaging less than 0.5 acres.
Farming is largely subsistence-based, with no economies of scale.
Limiting bulk production and access to markets or suppliers who prefer larger volumes.
Low Adoption of Modern Inputs or Climate-Smart Techniques
Most widows rely on traditional seed saving, minimal use of organic compost or fertilizer, and rain-fed agriculture.
Irrigation, improved seeds and pest control techniques are rarely used due to cost or lack of training.
Lack of Market Linkages and Post-Harvest Losses
Farmers often sell surplus produce at roadside markets or rely on middlemen leading to low farm-gate prices.
Poor storage and timing often result in high post-harvest losses especially for perishable crops.
Limited Access to Agricultural Training and Extension Services
Widows face barriers to attending trainings due to domestic responsibilities, stigma or mobility limitations.
Government agricultural officers are stretched thin or rarely reach remote widow groups.
Widows in Samia Sub County aren’t embracing Collective Farming yet due to
1. Land Insecurity & Cultural Constraints
Many widows lack formal land rights, and communal land leasing requires permission from male relatives or community leaders, which is often denied or delayed.
Fear of disputes over land ownership discourages long-term group planning.
2. Lack of Initial Capital & Tools
Even small costs like leasing land, buying seeds, or renting water tanks are beyond reach for most widow groups without external support.
3. Limited Exposure to Successful Models
Most widows in Samia are unaware of how collective farming models work, benefits they can achieve or how to organize for shared success.
Trainings and exposure visits are rare due to funding and mobility issues.
4. Social Stigma and Isolation
Widows often experience social exclusion or emotional trauma that limits confidence in taking leadership roles or participating in group ventures.
Fear of exploitation or poor past experiences in “group projects” may cause hesitation.
Why Collective Farming is the way forward for NbWG
It reduces per-person costs of inputs, land and labor
It builds community resilience, shared decision-making and confidence
It unlocks access to bigger markets and development support
With small external funding and proper training, it can become a self-sustaining model
Empowering NbWG through COLLECTIVE FARMING brings hope among widows as supporting widows to rebuild their lives with dignity and purpose is among most effective way of eradicating poverty within communities.
A heartfelt Thank You to our matching donor, John Salter. We are incredibly grateful to his generous pledge to match up to $200 in donations toward our project: Empowering Widows through Collective Farming.
This act of generosity not only doubles the impact of every contribution from EA Forum readers, but also sends a powerful message of solidarity to vulnerable widows in Samia Sub County, Kenya, who are striving to transform their livelihoods through sustainable agriculture and community-led action.
Your commitment to amplifying the support we receive is more than a financial gift—it’s a vote of confidence in widows’ dignity, resilience and potential.