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Mizoram Strawberry Farmer Named Among UN’s 100 Women Heroes
ZT Lalrithangi, whom people call Pi Mari-i, lives in a village in Mizoram.
She wanted to earn a living, so she learned about farming from YouTube and other growers.
In 2024, she planted her first 1,000 strawberry plants.
Her first harvest earned about Rs 1.5 lakh, and she says her strawberry earnings passed Rs 10 lakh in 2025.
Now she grows more than 10,000 strawberry plants on two hectares of land.
Her family helps with the farm, and some berries are made into strawberry wine for local markets.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization named her one of 100 women heroes in farming and rural development.
She was preparing to travel to Rome for the award presentation.
ZT Lalrithangi, known locally as Pi Mari-i, began growing strawberries in Sangau, Mizoram, in 2024.
She says her first harvest earned about Rs 1.5 lakh, while strawberry earnings crossed Rs 10 lakh in 2025.
She now tends more than 10,000 strawberry plants across two hectares, alongside other crops.
The Food and Agriculture Organization named her one of its 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development.
The FAO ceremony is listed for 15 October at its Rome headquarters; Mari-i was still completing travel documents when reports were filed.
- Who
- ZT Lalrithangi, known locally as Pi Mari-i, a 35-year-old farmer from Mizoram.
- What
- She was named one of the FAO’s 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development.
- Where
- Sangau, in Mizoram’s Lawngtlai district; the presentation ceremony is scheduled at FAO headquarters in Rome.
- When
- The FAO email arrived on 21 September; the presentation ceremony is listed for 15 October. The article does not specify the year for these dates.
- Why
- Her strawberry farming and contribution to agrifood systems and rural development led to her selection.
Key facts
- First planting
- About 1,000 strawberry saplings planted in 2024.
- Current farm
- More than 10,000 strawberry plants across two hectares.
- Reported earnings
- About Rs 1.5 lakh in the first year; more than Rs 10 lakh in strawberry earnings in 2025, according to Mari-i.
- FAO recognition
- Named one of 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development.
- Selection pool
- Reports say more than 600 nominees from 131 countries were considered; two of the selected 100 are from India.
- Other farm products
- Avocado, banana, other fruits and vegetables; some strawberries are made into wine for local markets.
- Presentation
- The FAO lists the ceremony for 15 October at its headquarters in Rome.
Sources
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