Bibi Fatima Women’s SHG Wins UNDP Equator Prize 2025 for Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Farming

The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from Teertha village, Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district, has made India proud by winning the Equator Prize 2025 awarded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)—often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation”.

This recognition celebrates their pioneering work in eco-friendly farming, community seed banking, millet promotion, and women-led rural entrepreneurship.

About the Equator Prize

• Presented by: UNDP.
• Purpose: Honors nature-based solutions by indigenous peoples and local communities that promote sustainable development and ecological resilience.
• 2025 Theme: Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action.
• Winners: 10 global winners from Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Tanzania, and India.
• Prize: $10,000 (~₹8.5 lakh).
• Competition Scale: ~700 nominations from 103 countries.
• Award Announcement: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (9 August).

Journey of Bibi Fatima SHG

• Formed: 2018 by 15 women.
• Mentoring Organisation: Sahaja Samruddha.

Collaborations:

• Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad.
• CROPS4HD (Crop Diversity for Human Nutrition).
• Selco Foundation – provided solar-powered electricity for millet processing.
• Devadhanya Farmer Producer Company – for rural enterprise promotion.

Major Achievements

• 1. Eco-Friendly Farming in Rainfed Lands
• 2. Community Seed Bank
• 3. Millet Promotion & Processing
• 4. Market Linkages & Rural Enterprises