ZT Lalrithangi, a 35-year-old farmer from Sangau village in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, has been selected for the FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development award. The international recognition highlights the work of women who are making a difference in agriculture, food systems and rural development. Lalrithangi is among 100 women selected from around the world for the recognition.

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

The award is connected with the International Year of Women Farmers 2026, which focuses attention on the important role of women in farming and rural communities. Lalrithangi’s work in strawberry cultivation and value-added agricultural products has brought international attention to farming in Mizoram.

ZT Lalrithangi Selected Among 100 Women

ZT Lalrithangi, who is also known as Pi Mari-i, has been selected from more than 600 nominations received from 131 countries. She is one of the 100 women chosen for the FAO recognition.

Lalrithangi is also one of two Indian women selected for the award. Her selection represents recognition of the contribution of women farmers to agricultural production, rural businesses and local economies.

The recognition also makes Lalrithangi the first Mizo person to receive this international honour, according to the information released about the award.

Strawberry Farming in Mizoram

Lalrithangi began strawberry cultivation in 2024. She started with farming activities in her home region and later expanded the cultivation on a larger scale.

Her strawberry farm now has more than 10,000 plants spread across two hectares of land. The farm produces fresh strawberries as well as other products made from strawberries.

Her farming activities show how agricultural production can be combined with value addition. Instead of selling only fresh produce, farmers can develop processed products that can create additional sources of income.

Lalrithangi’s work has therefore developed beyond traditional crop cultivation and includes products such as strawberry wine and other value-added products.

Growth in Farm Income

The strawberry farming venture has also shown significant growth in income. Lalrithangi’s agricultural activities generated around Rs 1.5 lakh in 2024.

In 2025, her income from the venture increased to more than Rs 10 lakh. The increase reflects the expansion of her cultivation and the development of products linked to strawberry farming.

For farmers in hilly and rural areas, value-added agricultural activities can provide opportunities to increase the economic return from locally grown crops. Lalrithangi’s farming work is an example of how a small agricultural venture can grow into a larger rural enterprise.

FAO 100 Women Heroes Award

The award is being given by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, commonly known as FAO. The organisation works on issues related to food security, agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development.

The 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development recognition is intended to highlight women who are contributing to agricultural and rural development in different parts of the world.

Lalrithangi’s selection places a farmer from Mizoram among women from many countries who are being recognised for their work in food and agriculture.

Award Ceremony in Rome

The award ceremony is scheduled to take place during the World Food Forum at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

The World Food Forum is scheduled from 12 to 16 October 2026. It is an international platform that brings together discussions and activities related to food systems, agriculture, youth participation and innovation.

The presentation of the award during the World Food Forum will provide an international platform to recognise the contribution of women farmers and rural entrepreneurs.

International Year of Women Farmers 2026

The recognition of ZT Lalrithangi comes during the International Year of Women Farmers 2026. The year places greater attention on the role played by women in agriculture and food systems.

Women are involved in many parts of agricultural activities, including crop production, livestock management, food processing, marketing and other rural economic activities. However, their contributions are not always equally visible.

The International Year of Women Farmers provides an opportunity to highlight these contributions and recognise women working in agriculture in different countries.

Lalrithangi’s story from Mizoram adds a local example to this global focus. Her work combines crop cultivation with processing and income generation.

Mizoram’s Strawberry Farming

Strawberry cultivation has gained attention as an agricultural activity in parts of Mizoram because of the state’s hill environment and suitable growing conditions in some areas.

Lalrithangi has developed her strawberry farm in Sangau village of Lawngtlai district. Her expansion to more than 10,000 plants shows the scale at which the farming venture has developed within a short period.

Her production of strawberry-based products also demonstrates the potential of processing agricultural produce locally. Such products can offer farmers additional ways to earn from their crops instead of depending only on fresh produce sales.

Recognition for Women in Rural Development

The FAO recognition of ZT Lalrithangi also highlights the connection between farming and rural development. Farmers contribute not only by producing food but also by creating local businesses and supporting economic activity in rural communities.

Women farmers can play an important role in these activities. From cultivation to processing and marketing, their work can contribute to household income and local economic development.

Lalrithangi’s recognition places the experience of a farmer from a remote village in Mizoram on an international platform.

FAO and Global Agriculture

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialised agency of the United Nations. It works with countries and partners on food and agriculture-related issues.

FAO activities cover areas such as food security, sustainable agriculture, rural development, fisheries and forestry. The organisation also supports efforts to improve agricultural systems and strengthen rural communities.

The FAO 100 Women Heroes recognition connects these global agricultural goals with the individual stories of women working directly in farming and rural development.

For ZT Lalrithangi, the recognition brings international attention to her strawberry farming work in Mizoram and highlights the contribution of women farmers to modern agriculture.