From struggle to success: How Neema Mbukwa transformed her life through innovation and resilience

“Life was tough. I wanted to give my children a better future, but the challenges of farming made it hard to dream bigger,” recalls Neema Mbukwa, a mother of two whose life has been a story of resilience, determination, and transformation. For years, Neema balanced life as a smallholder farmer and street food vendor, relying on maize farming to get by. Despite her efforts, she earned only $800 to $900 annually, barely enough to support her children after losing her husband. Her farming was plagued with challenges—poor seed quality, lack of access to inputs, and minimal information on better practices.