Aizawl: A 35-year-old woman farmer from a remote village in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district has been selected for a United Nations award for her contribution to agriculture and rural development after turning strawberry cultivation into a profitable livelihood, according to a PTI report.
Z T Lalrithangi, popularly known as Pi Mari-i, from Sangau in south Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district, has been selected among the “FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development” by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations as part of the International Year of Women Farmers 2026.
Lalrithangi told PTI that she was among more than 600 women from 131 countries nominated for the recognition, with 100 ultimately selected. She is one of two women from India to receive the honour.
She said FAO informed her of her selection and invited her to receive the award through an email on September 21. The state Horticulture Department had earlier also informed her about her selection, she added.
She will receive the award during the World Food Forum at the FAO headquarters in Rome from October 12 to 16.
Lalrithangi began experimenting with strawberry cultivation in 2024 after learning about farmers successfully growing the crop in neighbouring Siaha district.
Starting with around 1,000 saplings on a farm about 5 km from Sangau, she gradually expanded her cultivation and now grows more than 10,000 strawberry plants across two hectares. She also cultivates avocado, banana and other fruits and vegetables.
“We started and experimented with the plantation in 2024 in a small area after learning about successful strawberry cultivation by some farmers in Siaha district. After earning about Rs 1.5 lakh in the initial year, we thought it was worth continuing and expanded the cultivation,” Lalrithangi told PTI.
Her strawberry cultivation generated more than Rs 10 lakh in 2025. She also processes part of the produce into strawberry wine for sale in local markets.
Lalrithangi was earlier adjudged the best farmer from Lawngtlai district at the Mizoram Horti Fair 2026.
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