Mizoram Woman Farmer Honoured with FAO 100 Women Heroes Award

Why in News?

Z T Lalrithangi, popularly known as Pi Mari-i, a former teacher-turned-farmer from Mizoram, has been selected among the FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development.

Important Points 

• She is one of two women from India selected among 100 women from more than 600 nominees across 131 countries. The recognition is part of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.
• Lalrithangi belongs to Sangau in Lawngtlai district, southern Mizoram, and has gained recognition for developing strawberry cultivation as a profitable rural livelihood.

Who is Lalrithangi?

• Lalrithangi is a postgraduate in Sociology from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). She previously worked as a teacher in a private school.
• After completing her studies, she appeared for several competitive examinations while seeking a government job. She eventually chose farming as her profession and took up strawberry cultivation.
• Her journey highlights how horticulture and innovative farming can create alternative livelihood opportunities in rural areas.

How Strawberry Farming Changed Her Life

• Lalrithangi started strawberry cultivation in 2024 after learning about successful strawberry farmers in neighbouring Siaha district.
• Initially, she cultivated around 1,000 strawberry plants on her land, located about 5 km from Sangau. The initial cultivation generated a profit of around ₹1.5 lakh per year, encouraging her to expand production.
• Today, she cultivates more than 10,000 strawberry plants along with fruits such as avocado and banana on about two hectares of land.
• In 2025, she earned more than ₹10 lakh from strawberry cultivation. She also produces strawberry wine from her farm produce.

From Teacher to Farmer

• Lalrithangi had no formal training in strawberry cultivation when she started farming. She developed her knowledge through online farming videos and interactions with other farmers.
• Initially, she approached the government for support because strawberry cultivation was not part of the concerned departmental project at that time. She later continued her farming activities while receiving government assistance in different forms.
• Her experience shows how access to information, local knowledge and government support can help rural farmers adopt high-value horticultural crops.

Family Support and Farming Innovations

• Lalrithangi has three children and manages farming along with her family responsibilities. She has said that she often learned new farming techniques at night after completing her household work.
• Her husband, who works at a government primary school, and her in-laws have supported her farming activities.
• The family visits the farm during weekends, while additional labourers are hired when required.
• Her success demonstrates the potential of high-value horticulture to improve rural incomes and diversify agricultural livelihoods.

FAO 100 Women Heroes

• The FAO 100 Women Heroes initiative highlights the individual stories and contributions of women working in agrifood systems and rural development.
• The initiative is connected with the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026).
• FAO has highlighted several challenges faced by women farmers, including limited access to:
  • Land
  • Finance
  • Technology
  • Education and training
  • Agricultural services
  • Decision-making opportunities
• Recognizing women farmers aims to improve awareness of their contribution and support greater gender equality in agrifood systems.

International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026

• The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to recognize and promote the contribution of women farmers to food systems, agriculture and rural development.
• The year focuses attention on the important role played by women in agricultural production and the challenges that limit their access to resources and opportunities.

Award Ceremony in Rome

• The award ceremony is scheduled to be held from 12 to 16 October 2026 during the World Food Forum at FAO headquarters in Rome.
• According to the report, Lalrithangi was informed about her selection by FAO through email on 21 September 2026.
• Before this international recognition, she was also selected as the Best Farmer of Lawngtlai district at the Mizoram Horti Fair 2026.

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