ZT Lalrithangi, popularly known as Mari or Pi Mari-i, a woman farmer from Mizoram, has received international recognition for her achievements in strawberry cultivation, sustainable agriculture and rural development. She was selected among the FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development, an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The recognition was presented at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, during the World Food Forum on 15 October 2026. Her achievement highlights the growing contribution of women entrepreneurs to agricultural innovation, rural livelihoods and India’s agrifood sector.
ZT Lalrithangi belongs to Sangau village in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, in the southern part of the state near the Myanmar border. Before entering agriculture, she worked as a private-school teacher and pursued opportunities to secure a government job. After completing postgraduate studies in sociology, she appeared for competitive examinations but eventually decided to explore entrepreneurship as an alternative livelihood. Her transition from teaching to farming demonstrates how education, self-learning and determination can help individuals build sustainable careers outside conventional employment.
Lalrithangi began experimenting with strawberry cultivation in 2024 after learning about successful strawberry growers in neighbouring Siaha district. She initially planted approximately 1,000 saplings on a small farm near Sangau village. Encouraged by the initial results, she expanded her cultivation and developed an enterprise with more than 10,000 strawberry plants. Her experience illustrates how small-scale agricultural experimentation, observation and the gradual expansion of a promising crop can create new income opportunities in rural areas.
Strawberry cultivation has become an important source of income for Lalrithangi and her family. According to reports, she earned approximately ₹1.5 lakh during the initial year of cultivation and more than ₹10 lakh from strawberry farming in 2025. The Food and Agriculture Organization also described her two-acre enterprise as generating an annual income of approximately ₹6–10 lakh. These figures come from different reported periods and descriptions of her enterprise, but both indicate the commercial potential of her farming initiative. Her achievement is particularly significant because it demonstrates how horticulture can offer an alternative to traditional livelihood activities in remote rural communities.
Lalrithangi has also explored ways to increase the value of her agricultural produce. Instead of relying exclusively on the sale of fresh strawberries, she has processed some of her harvest into products such as strawberry candy and strawberry wine for local markets. The FAO has also reported her interest in expanding into strawberry juice production. Such value addition can help farmers diversify their revenue streams, reduce dependence on fresh-produce sales and reach customers with different preferences. For rural entrepreneurs, processing and marketing agricultural products can be important steps towards building a more resilient farming business.
One of the notable features of Lalrithangi’s enterprise is its integrated approach to farming. According to the FAO, her farm combines strawberry cultivation with fish farming and poultry production. This approach can improve resource utilisation and diversify household income by integrating different agricultural activities. Rather than depending on a single crop, integrated farming allows farmers to explore multiple sources of production and revenue. Her work demonstrates the potential of sustainable horticulture and diversified farming systems to strengthen rural livelihoods, particularly in regions where farmers need locally suitable and economically viable agricultural opportunities.
The FAO selected Lalrithangi under its initiative recognising women who are making significant contributions to agrifood systems and rural development. The programme was associated with the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 and sought to highlight women’s achievements in agriculture, entrepreneurship and rural communities. The selection process involved nominations from FAO member countries, followed by multiple stages of review and assessment. According to the FAO, 131 member countries submitted 609 nominations. Lalrithangi and Priyanka Mahesh Shelke from Maharashtra were the two Indian women recognised under the initiative.
Lalrithangi’s achievement extends beyond her own farming income. She participates in local farming groups, shares knowledge with other farmers and creates employment opportunities for rural youth. Her experience can encourage women in remote areas to consider agriculture as an entrepreneurial opportunity rather than only a traditional occupation. Her success also demonstrates the importance of access to agricultural knowledge, family support, local institutions and opportunities to market farm produce. She was previously recognised as the Best Horticulture Farmer of Lawngtlai district for 2025–26, further acknowledging her contribution to horticultural development in Mizoram.
Lalrithangi’s recognition highlights the potential of horticulture, agricultural diversification and women-led enterprises to contribute to India’s rural economy. Farmers can improve their livelihoods by identifying crops suited to local conditions, adopting new cultivation techniques, processing produce and developing market connections. Her experience is also relevant to discussions about rural entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, women’s economic participation and livelihood diversification in northeastern India. The international honour brings attention to the role of farmers who use local opportunities and practical innovation to develop commercially viable agricultural enterprises.
ZT Lalrithangi’s selection among the FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development brings international attention to women’s contributions to agriculture. Her achievement highlights the role of women in strengthening food systems, developing rural enterprises and promoting sustainable livelihoods. It also places India’s women-led agricultural innovation in the global spotlight.
Her journey demonstrates that agriculture can be a viable business opportunity for educated rural youth and aspiring entrepreneurs. By starting with a small number of strawberry saplings and expanding production, she developed a commercial enterprise that generates income and creates employment. Her experience is relevant to government initiatives aimed at rural employment, entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
The integration of strawberry cultivation, fish farming and poultry production demonstrates how diversified farming can support resource efficiency and multiple income sources. Value addition through processed agricultural products also illustrates how farmers can explore opportunities beyond selling raw produce.
This news is relevant to current affairs, Indian agriculture, women’s empowerment, international organisations and northeastern India’s development. Aspirants preparing for UPSC, State PCS, SSC, banking, railways and other government examinations should remember the FAO’s full name, its headquarters in Rome, Lalrithangi’s home state and the name of the recognition she received.
Agriculture has traditionally played an important role in Mizoram’s rural economy. Shifting cultivation, commonly known as jhum cultivation, has been practised by communities in the northeastern region for generations. However, changing market opportunities and agricultural development programmes have encouraged farmers to explore horticulture, fruit cultivation and other income-generating activities.
Strawberry cultivation has emerged as one of the horticultural opportunities in parts of southern Mizoram. Earlier agricultural development efforts in the region included initiatives by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to introduce improved strawberry cultivation techniques and increase farm incomes. These interventions demonstrated that suitable technologies, crop management and access to water could help farmers develop commercially viable horticultural activities.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations was established on 16 October 1945. Its headquarters is in Rome, Italy. The organisation works to improve food security, nutrition and agricultural productivity while promoting sustainable management of natural resources and better livelihoods for rural populations.
World Food Day is observed every year on 16 October to commemorate the establishment of the FAO. The organisation also supports international cooperation on agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food systems.
The International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 highlights women’s contributions to agricultural production, food security and rural development. The FAO’s 100 Women Heroes initiative recognises women whose work is helping transform agrifood systems. Lalrithangi’s selection reflects the importance of women-led farming enterprises, agricultural entrepreneurship and sustainable rural livelihoods.
ZT Lalrithangi, also known as Mari or Pi Mari-i, is a woman farmer and horticulture entrepreneur from Mizoram who gained international recognition for her achievements in strawberry farming and rural development.
She was recognised under the FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development initiative.
FAO stands for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
The FAO headquarters is located in Rome, Italy.
Her farm is located in Sangau village in Lawngtlai district, Mizoram.
She began experimenting with strawberry cultivation in 2024.
Priyanka Mahesh Shelke from Maharashtra was the other Indian woman recognised under the initiative.
Integrated farming combines two or more agricultural activities, such as crop cultivation, fish farming and poultry production, to improve resource use and diversify income.
The United Nations designated 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer to highlight women’s contributions to agrifood systems and address the challenges they face in agriculture.
World Food Day is observed annually on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the FAO in 1945.
The International Day of Rural Women is observed every year on 15 October to recognise rural women’s contributions to agriculture, food security and rural development.
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