As the Cereal Growers Association observes International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme ‘Give to Gain,’ the organisation highlights the contributions of women cultivating Kenya’s agricultural future.
This year’s feature spotlights Lily Chepkwony, a 46-year-old potato aggregator and farmer service centre operator in Nakuru County’s Taachasis Village. Through shrewd reinvestment of her farming revenues, she secured ownership of 2 acres — providing the collateral needed for credit and the long-term security to scale her operations.
Lily’s enterprise extends beyond potato cultivation to include cabbages and peas. She has evolved from smallholder farmer to commercial aggregator, bridging local producers with national markets through structured buyers including Redgate, EPZ, Kilimani Fresh, Quick Basket, and Simplified.
Her network encompasses aggregation stores across Ruaka, Bomet town, and Keringet — a testament to what becomes possible when women farmers transition from labourers to entrepreneurs with secured tenure.