This Earth Day, we are celebrating the women sowing seeds of change in their communities through sustainable agriculture.
Together, they are nourishing school communities, building climate-smart livelihoods and improving resilience to climate shocks.
I’m Cleopatra, from Mpika district in Zambia. Through training in sustainable agriculture, I’ve been able to transform my life and support my family.
After I completed my education with CAMFED support, I started my own small farming business. By using climate-smart techniques like crop rotation and water conservation, I’ve improved my family’s harvests and strengthened our food security. Now, we are able to sell the extra crops that we grow.
Because of my garden, I’m now financially independent, and I’ve also gained respect in my community because of the work that I do.
Today, I’m proud to share what I’ve learned with other young women and farmers in my community as an Agriculture Guide. I lead training sessions on sustainable agriculture with young women who are current or aspiring agri-preneurs. We also share information about the causes and effects of climate change, helping others build resilience and protect the environment.
Read more about my ambitions for the future
I’m volunteering as an Agriculture Guide because I want to teach people about building food security through sustainable agriculture.Cleopatra, sustainable agriculture expert, Zambia
Our sustainable farming experts are sharing their knowledge with communities across Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Closing the gender gap in farm productivity and the wage gap in agrifood-system employment could reduce the number of food-insecure people by 45 million.
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, FAO (2023)
Around one third of the young educated women in our CAMFED Association are dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.
CAMFED
Our goal is to reach 750,000 more community members who will benefit from young women's knowledge in sustainable agriculture
Women in rural Africa are the first to feel the impacts of a changing climate – including droughts, floods and drops in agricultural production – despite contributing negligibly to greenhouse emissions.
These extreme weather events mean families struggle to maintain livelihoods, and women and girls are particularly vulnerable to hunger and exploitation.
A changing climate doesn’t just threaten livelihoods – it pushes girls out of school, and destroys school infrastructure. Yet when girls and women are educated, they can help their communities to adapt, and lead on climate-smart agriculture – tackling hunger and keeping children in school.
Educated women can launch sustainable food businesses, become role models for change and – as local, national and global leaders and policymakers – shape a better world for everyone
Download the free PDFHear from more sustainable agriculture experts this Earth Day
CAMFED Association leader and sustainable farming expert, Naomi Chanda, explains how climate change pushes girls out of school, and what young educated women are doing about it.
December 10, 2025
Esnath, whose expertise was key to scaling CAMFED’s Agriculture Guide program and developing our climate education workbook, explores how practical climate education sessions led by local mentors with lived experience can build resilience and agency among vulnerable children.
Researchers in our CAMFED Association of women leaders interview young entrepreneurs about creating dignified, fulfilling and sustainable jobs.
Discover the stories of young Zambian women ensuring that all children — including those living with disabilities — can learn and thrive in a changing world.
This film, made possible by our partner King Philanthropies, and created by Pique Action, features interviews with CAMFED leaders — CEO Angeline (Angie) Murimirwa and sustainable agriculture expert Esnath Divasoni — both from Zimbabwe.
With CAMFED's support through school, I'm now fulfilling my potential as an entrepreneur and run a range of successful businesses—including a fruit farm.
Ken and Charlene Meyer $120
Kelly Poole $21.40
Kimberly Lee $5.60
Martha West $600
Pamela Gordon $26.60
Dhanuben Patel £104.10
Rowan Fisk £104.10
Katherine Timko $20.30
Emma Moss $21.40
Kimba Munson $47.60
John Englehart $232
Traci Bhagat $63.40
Beth Perry $232
Greg Hoyt $52.90
Suaan Wagner $5.60
