As we celebrate World Food Day with the theme “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future,” it's essential to focus on a seemingly humble crop with significant promise—peanuts. 

In a world where over 780 million people face chronic hunger, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), peanuts can play a transformative role in addressing food insecurity, poverty, and sustainability. 

Why Peanuts Matter: A Human Story 

 Peanuts are a vital source of livelihood for millions of smallholder farmers, particularly women, in regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where 33% of the population lives below the poverty line (World Food Programme, WFP).

 This legume is not only resilient to climate change but also requires minimal inputs, making it ideal for farming in arid conditions. Furthermore, peanuts enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen, contributing to healthier crops in future seasons. 

Despite their importance, women farmers face systemic challenges, including limited access to markets, financial resources, and modern farming technologies. Unlocking the full potential of peanuts could thus transform not only their lives but entire communities. 

The Peanut Economy: Empowering Women Smallholders 

Women are the backbone of rural economies, particularly in peanut-growing regions. Yet, they often lack the support needed to thrive. Studies suggest that closing the gender gap in agriculture could lift approximately 150 million people out of hunger (FAO). 

Empowering women smallholders with training, market access, and financial tools is crucial for sustainable growth. When women succeed, their communities prosper. For example, according to the WFP, every $1 earned by a woman in agriculture generates more investment in her children's education, nutrition, and community well-being. 

Peanuts and Food Security: A Sustainable Solution 

With over 45 million children suffering from malnutrition worldwide, peanuts are a crucial ingredient in combating this crisis (WFP). Products like Plumpy’Nut, a peanut-based paste, have revolutionized child nutrition, especially in emergency settings.

 Rich in protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins, peanuts offer a sustainable solution to the fight against hunger. Moreover, peanuts are environmentally sustainable.

 They require less water and fewer resources compared to staple crops like maize or wheat, making them a powerful tool for building resilient food systems.Peanuts not only provide nutrition but also improve soil health, enhancing future crop yields. 

Innovative Peanut Processing: The Future of Economic Growth 

The economic potential of peanuts extends beyond farming; it lies in value addition. Investing in local peanut processing through community-driven models, such as micro-factories, can ensure that more profits from peanut farming stay with the farmers. 

These small-scale processing units can help create products like peanut butter, oil, and snacks, reducing food waste and increasing profitability. Currently, only a small percentage of peanuts produced in Africa are processed locally. However, with the right investments, the peanut sector could unlock millions of dollars in revenue for smallholder farmers. The FAO estimates that improving market access for smallholders could boost incomes by up to 40%. 

Opening Global Markets: The Key to Prosperity 

While the global demand for peanuts is on the rise, smallholder farmers often struggle to access these markets due to barriers such as lack of certification, inadequate infrastructure, and unfair trade practices. 

Creating fair trade systems, improving infrastructure, and fostering public-private partnerships can help bridge this gap. Peanuts possess the nutritional and economic potential to connect local and global food systems. By supporting smallholders, we can create a more equitable and sustainable global food economy. 

Conclusion: A Better Future, One Peanut at a Time 

Peanuts are more than a nutritious snack—they are a solution to significant global challenges like hunger, poverty, and sustainability.

 As we mark World Food Day, let’s commit to investing in the people who grow them, supporting sustainable farming practices, and creating fairer markets. 

By unlocking the potential of peanuts, we can transform lives and create a future where food security is within reach for everyone. Together, let’s harness the hidden power of peanuts for a better tomorrow. 

^{Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences related to peanuts and their impact on communities below!}

Irene is an award-winning Innovator and Visionary CEO of MAMLO FOODS

On the 24th of August, Irene Etyang, CEO of MAMLO FOODS, embarked on a transformative experience at the Mulago Fellowship retreat in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco. As a Rainer Arnhold Fellow, Irene joined other social impact leaders to reflect, refine, and reimagine their strategies for scaling change. This retreat marked a pivotal moment for Irene, reshaping how she views MAMLO FOODS' journey toward empowering marginalized women smallholders in the peanut-growing regions of  Africa.

For Irene, who grew up in Teso, a peanut and millet-growing community in Kenya, the struggles of women smallholders have been a deeply personal issue. Witnessing firsthand how these women were exploited by middlemen, she set out to create a business that could restore dignity and economic independence to smallholders, especially women, through the value addition of indigenous grains and peanuts. Over the years, her business evolved, culminating in the creation of MAMLO FOODS, an enterprise built around an innovative "Micro-Factory" model that localizes processing and ensures profits remain within communities.

At the Mulago retreat, Irene's vision for MAMLO FOODS shifted to new heights. During a series of in-depth discussions, the fellowship's emphasis on sustainable, scalable solutions deeply resonated with her. "Before, I thought scaling was about expanding the number of micro-factories and market reach," she reflects. "But Mulago’s strategy challenged me to think differently—scale isn’t just about growth in numbers, but about designing models that can create lasting, widespread impact while remaining true to our core mission."

Mulago’s approach, centered around simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability, encouraged Irene to refine MAMLO’s Micro-Factory model, ensuring it could be replicated across diverse regions without compromising the quality or integrity of the solution. With this newfound clarity, Irene now envisions not only expanding MAMLO’s footprint but also deepening the impact on peanut-growing communities by empowering more women farmers through localized processing.

As  Irene continues her fellowship with Mulago, her focus is clear: building a scalable, sustainable system that uplifts women, drives economic growth, and transforms the peanut value chain in Africa. Her time in the Atlas Mountains provided the clarity and confidence needed to push forward, turning MAMLO FOODS into a model for empowering communities, a micro-factory at a time.This retreat has not only sharpened Irene's vision but also reinforced her commitment to community-centered growth.

 For MAMLO FOODS, the future is bright, and Irene is ready to lead the charge toward global peanut prosperity while ensuring that the benefits remain with the women smallholders at the heart of the business.