A strawberry farmer from Sangau village in Lawngtlai district, Mizoram, ZT Lalrithangi (Mari-i), has been recognised among the 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development by the Food and Agriculture Organization. She is one of only two women selected from India from more than 600 nominations across 131 countries. 

More About the News

Lalrithangi began strawberry cultivation in 2024 and currently farms around two hectares. Her annual income from strawberry cultivation is reported to be between ₹6 lakh and ₹10 lakh.

Importantly, she has moved beyond simply selling fresh fruit and adopted value addition.

• She produces strawberry wine, dehydrated strawberries and strawberry candy.
• She is working with a Krishi Vigyan Kendra to develop strawberry juice.
• Her efforts have also been recognised within Mizoram, where she was named Lawngtlai district’s Best Farmer at Horti Fair Mizoram 2026. 

International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026

• The UN has designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer in order to recognise and strengthen the role of women in agriculture and agrifood systems.
• It is coordinated by the FAO and aims to recognise the contribution of women across the entire agrifood value chain—from production and processing to marketing and trade. 
• The International Year of the Woman Farmer aims to promote policy reforms, targeted investments, and structural changes to create inclusive and resilient agrifood systems.
• The theme is “Empowered women, transforming agrifood systems.”
• Lead Organisation is FAO and partner Organisations are International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Food Programme (WFP).
• The initiative seeks to address persistent barriers faced by rural women, particularly limited access to land, finance, technology, education, extension services and decision-making. 

Exam Hook: Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026:

1. It was designated by the United Nations to highlight the contribution of women to agrifood systems.
2. The Food and Agriculture Organization is coordinating activities related to the International Year.
3. It focuses only on women engaged in crop cultivation.
4. It seeks to address gaps in women’s access to land, finance, technology and extension services.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

Lalrithangi’s story shows how horticulture, value addition, women’s entrepreneurship, and institutional support can transform a small rural farming activity into a sustainable livelihood.

One-line wrap: Mizoram’s strawberry farmer ZT Lalrithangi represents how women-led horticulture, value addition and rural entrepreneurship can strengthen livelihoods while bringing Northeast India’s farmers onto the global stage.