Mizoram Farmer Mari ZT Lalrithangi Receives FAO Honour for Strawberry Farming Success

Mari ZT Lalrithangi is a woman farmer from Sangau village of Lawngtlai district, Mizoram, who has gained worldwide recognition for establishing a highly successful strawberry farming business venture. She was one of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development under the International Year of Women Farmers 2026 campaign. Mari ZT Lalrithangi started her strawberry farming business with 1,000 saplings in 2024 and increased the number of plants grown to over 10,000 on two hectares of land in 2025.

Who is Mari ZT Lalrithangi?

Mari ZT Lalrithangi is a 35-year-old farmer hailing from the village of Sangau in the Lawngtlai district of Mizoram, India, close to the Myanmar border. Post-graduated in Sociology from the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), she had served as a teacher in private schools as well as prepared for competitive exams to get into government services.

Having faced failures several times in joining government services, she turned to farming as another means to achieve economic independence. In 2024, she tried her luck with strawberries upon hearing success stories of strawberry growers from the nearby district of Siaha.

She has no prior experience in cultivating strawberries; however, she has learnt from online tutorials and discussions with other farmers.

FAO Picks Mizoram’s Female Farmer Among 100 Women Heroes

Lalrithangi has been named FAO 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development as a part of International Year of Women Farmers 2026.

As per the report, she was chosen from 600 nominations in 131 countries and she becomes the first Mizo woman to be honoured with this award. Two Indian women have been among those who were chosen.

The award was given at World Food Forum held by FAO in Rome on October 15, 2026.

This recognition comes with an emphasis on the role played by women in agricultural production, rural development and agrifood value chain. Lalrithangi appreciated the help provided by her family members and Mizoram Horticulture Department for setting up her farm business.

Development of Her Strawberry Farming Business

Mari ZT Lalrithangi started her business with about 1,000 strawberry saplings at a farm located at a distance of approximately five kilometres from Sangau village. Her business is now running with more than 10,000 plants across an area of two hectares.

There was also a significant increase in her income during the development of her business.

This is the story of a small agricultural project turning into a successful commercial business with the help of cultivation skills and knowledge.

What Is the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)?

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for leading international efforts to defeat hunger, improve food security, and nutrition.

• Established: October 16, 1945
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Focus areas: Food security, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and rural development

FAO collaborates with governments and partners in the fight for increased agricultural productivity, improved natural resource management, and more robust food systems.

The World Food Forum, where Lalrithangi got her recognition, acts as a platform for initiatives and discussions regarding food security around the world.