A 35-year-old female teacher-turned-farmer from Mizoram, Z.T. Lalrithangi, has been recognised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations as one of the “100 Women Heroes in Agrifood System and Rural Development”.
The strawberry farmer from Lawngtlai district’s Sangau village was awarded for her “exemplary contributions to sustainable agriculture, women’s entrepreneurship and rural development” at a programme held at the FAO headquarters in Rome on Thursday.
Lalrithangi and Priyanka Mahesh Shelke from Maharashtra are the two Indians selected for the honour from 699 nominations across the FAO’s 131 member nations.
An FAO statement said Lalrithangi is a successful horticulture entrepreneur to have “built a thriving strawberry farming enterprise through the adoption of innovative and sustainable agricultural practices”.
“Her 2-acre enterprise generates an annual income of ₹6-10 lakh and serves as a model for profitable scientific horticulture. Through her active involvement in local farming groups, mentorship of fellow farmers, and creation of employment opportunities for local youth, she has contributed to rural development and agricultural innovation, earning recognition as the Best Horticulture Farmer of Lawngtlai District for 2025-26,” the FAO said.
With support from government programmes, Lalrithangi developed an integrated farming system combining strawberry cultivation, fish farming and poultry production to improve productivity and resource efficiency. She is also exploring value-added products, particularly strawberry juice.
Lalrithangi, popularly known as Pi Mari-i, began strawberry cultivation in 2024 with 1,000 saplings. She is the first person from Mizoram to receive the FAO recognition.
The initiative, launched by the FAO to mark the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, recognises 100 women for their contributions to agriculture, food systems and rural development. India’s ministry of agriculture and farmers welfare nominated 20 women, reflecting their diverse contributions to the country’s agricultural and rural development landscape.
FAO India said the selection of Lalrithangi and Shelke highlighted the different ways women were transforming the country’s agrifood systems, from farm-level innovation and entrepreneurship to collective enterprise and market development. “Their achievements demonstrate how women’s leadership can strengthen livelihoods, advance sustainability and create lasting opportunities for rural communities,” it said in a statement.
Lalrithangi learnt about strawberry cultivation from a grower in neighbouring Siaha district and decided to continue after earning around ₹1.5 lakh in her first year. Her farm currently has 10,000 strawberry plants.
A mother of three, Lalrithangi holds a post-graduate degree in sociology from Ignou. She was teaching at a private school and preparing for competitive examinations before turning to farming. With support from her husband and in-laws, she began cultivating strawberries independently before receiving government assistance.
The Mizoram horticulture department will felicitate Lalrithangi on October 19, a day after her return from Rome.