Lawngtlai, Mizoram: ZT Lalrithangi, a 35-year-old farmer from Sangau village in Lawngtlai district, has been named among the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, the agency said. Lalrithangi — also known locally as Pi Mari-i — is one of 100 women chosen from more than 600 nominations submitted from 131 countries and is one of two Indians on the list.
Recognition tied to World Food Forum event
The award will be presented during the World Food Forum at FAO headquarters in Rome, scheduled from 12 to 16 October 2026, according to the information released. The FAO created the list as part of initiatives linked to the International Year of Women Farmers 2026, to highlight women making notable contributions across food systems, agriculture and rural development.
Lalrithangi began commercial strawberry cultivation in 2024 and scaled the venture rapidly. She now manages more than 10,000 plants on two hectares and produces fresh fruit as well as value-added items including strawberry wine, the report said. Her enterprise reportedly generated around ₹1.5 lakh in 2024 and grew to more than ₹10 lakh in 2025.
Local impact and wider significance
Officials and observers say such international acknowledgement can help draw attention to small-scale, climate-sensitive horticulture practised in hill states like Mizoram. The selection recognises not only Lalrithangi’s individual entrepreneurship but also the potential for value addition and market linkages for hill-farming produce.
The FAO list aims to showcase diverse approaches taken by women across geographies to strengthen food systems and rural livelihoods. Being one of only two Indians on the list underscores the relative rarity of such honours for smallholders from India’s north-eastern states.
What Lalrithangi’s recognition means for the community
- Visibility: The award places a Mizo farmer on an international platform, which could attract technical partnerships, buyers and extension support.
- Value addition: Her work in processing strawberries into products such as wine highlights opportunities beyond fresh produce to increase farmer incomes.
- Inspiration: The citation may encourage other women farmers in Mizoram and neighbouring districts to explore horticulture and micro-enterprise.
The selection also dovetails with broader policy conversations on empowering women in agrifood systems, linking production to processing and markets, and strengthening resilience of small farms.
Data at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Farmer | ZT Lalrithangi (Pi Mari-i), 35, Sangau village, Lawngtlai |
| Award | FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development |
| Selection pool | Over 600 nominations from 131 countries |
| Scale of cultivation | More than 10,000 plants on two hectares |
| Reported earnings | ₹1.5 lakh (2024); more than ₹10 lakh (2025) |
| Award ceremony | World Food Forum, FAO headquarters, Rome (12–16 Oct 2026) |
Context within Mizoram and India
Mizoram is a hill state where smallholder agriculture and horticulture are important livelihoods. The FAO honour marks the first time a person from Mizoram has been included in this particular list, the sources said. The recognition may help highlight the state’s potential for temperate fruit cultivation and local processing initiatives that add value to agricultural output.
Observers note that awards and international platforms can catalyse access to knowledge networks, certification pathways and market contacts — but converting recognition into sustained gains typically requires follow-up support in areas such as post-harvest handling, quality control and market linkages.
For now, Lalrithangi’s selection brings an international spotlight to Sangau and Lawngtlai district and reinforces the role of women in transforming local agrifood systems.
"She is one of two Indian women chosen for the recognition," the source reported, noting the award is linked to the International Year of Women Farmers 2026.
Further details on participation at the World Food Forum and any follow-up initiatives involving Lalrithangi are expected to emerge around the Rome event, organisers indicated.
