Women are the backbone of agriculture across the developing world, producing more than half of the food that sustains their families and communities. Yet despite their indispensable role, they own less than two percent of the land and often face systemic barriers to quality seeds, modern farming technologies, financial services, agricultural training, and market access. This inequity limits not only their potential but also the productivity and prosperity of entire nations. Recognizing this disparity, TEL International partners and collaborates closely with women’s groups throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, working to strengthen food security, increase household income, and improve community nutrition from the ground up.

According to the United Nations, an estimated 150 million additional people would be food secure if women had the same access to seeds, tools, and agricultural training as men. The impact of investing in women extends far beyond the field. Research consistently shows that for every dollar a woman earns, approximately 90 percent is reinvested into her family and community—supporting health care, education, nutrition, and essential household needs—compared to 30–40 percent for men. When women thrive economically, entire communities experience measurable and sustainable improvements in quality of life, as increased household income leads to better nutrition, improved access to healthcare, higher school attendance rates, and stronger local economies that foster long-term stability and resilience.

TEL International’s approach centers on partnership, empowerment, and sustainability. By working directly with women’s cooperatives and community groups, the program increases access to improved seeds, farming inputs, modern cultivation techniques, nutrition education, and market strategies. These efforts not only boost crop yields but also enhance dietary diversity and create new streams of income. When women are equipped with knowledge in agriculture, business development, and marketing, they can establish small-scale seed enterprises or produce businesses, supplying local markets in their villages and cities. What begins as a modest plot of land can grow into a stable source of revenue and resilience.

Seeds and knowledge share a powerful similarity: neither is consumed once and gone. Both can be multiplied, shared, and passed on from one generation to the next. A single seed planted produces many more; a single lesson learned can transform families and communities. By investing in both, TEL International helps move communities toward locally driven, sustainable solutions that reduce dependency and cultivate long-term independence.

Empowered women are not merely beneficiaries of development—they are leaders of it. When provided equitable access to resources and opportunities, women farmers become catalysts for ending hunger and poverty. Through strengthened agricultural capacity, improved nutrition, and expanded economic opportunity, they help lay the foundation for healthier families, stronger communities, and a more food-secure future for Sub-Saharan Africa.

Want to get involved? Make a donation, create a fundraiser or consider sending this article to your friends. If your friends tell their friends, who tell their friends – that’s a whole lot of friends. So, join us on Facebook, X, Instagram, and share our latest stories, blogs and posts. Your support and sharing our story with your friends helps us achieve our mission. Answer the call today and fulfill Jesus’ mandate to be in mission.