Mizoram’s Lalrithangi Named Among FAO’s ‘100 Women Heroes’; Sets an Example of Rural Entrepreneurship Through Strawberry Farming

Lalrithangi, from Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, has been selected for the FAO’s ‘100 Women Heroes’ initiative for her contributions to agri-food systems and rural development. This initiative is associated with the ‘International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026’ (IYWF 2026) and recognizes women worldwide who are driving positive change within agri-food systems.

Journey from Teacher to Successful Farmer:

Lalrithangi completed her Master’s degree in Sociology from IGNOU and worked as a teacher in a private school. Later, instead of preparing for a government job, she chose agriculture as her profession. This transition highlights the potential for agriculture-based entrepreneurship and alternative livelihoods in rural areas.

Increased Income Through Strawberry Farming:

She began farming in 2024 with approximately 1,000 strawberry plants. Following initial success, she expanded production and now cultivates crops such as avocados and bananas alongside over 10,000 strawberry plants on approximately two hectares of land. In 2025, her strawberry farming generated an income exceeding ₹10 lakh. This example illustrates the importance of crop diversification, high-value horticulture, and increasing rural incomes.

Use of Technology and Local Knowledge:

Despite lacking formal training in strawberry farming, Lalrithangi gathered information from online agricultural resources and the experiences of other farmers. Her story highlights the role of digital knowledge, farmer-to-farmer learning, and local innovation in the agricultural sector. Furthermore, the creation of value-added products—such as strawberry wine—from her harvest exemplifies value addition and agro-based entrepreneurship.

International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026:

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The initiative aims to recognize the significant contributions of women to agrifood systems and to bridge the gender gap regarding access to land, finance, technology, education, agricultural extension services, and decision-making processes. The FAO is spearheading the activities for this year.

Broad Significance for UPSC:

This news relates to topics such as women's empowerment, agricultural diversification, horticulture, rural employment, food and nutritional security, agro-based MSMEs/entrepreneurship, and sustainable rural development. According to the FAO, the role of women in agrifood systems spans from production to processing, trade, and distribution; however, they continue to face barriers in accessing land, finance, technology, and services on an equal footing. Therefore, providing women farmers with better access to resources and markets is crucial for achieving SDG-2 (Zero Hunger), SDG-5 (Gender Equality), and inclusive rural development.