Women Farmers as a Key to Rural Development

A sisterhood of farmers in West Bengal, India has organized a movement giving women a rightful claim to the land. Women are among the most vulnerable communities affected by rural poverty, but with the help of SRREOSHI, this disadvantage is about to change.

SRREOSHI is putting land ownership back into the hands of women farmers in West Bengal, India. By helping women secure land and property rights, SRREOSHI breaks down gender inequalities, giving women a bigger stake in their economic livelihood and nutrition. Winner of the 2009 Cultivating Innovation: Solutions for Rural Communities collaborative competition, SRREOSHI plans to continue working with local governments, providing legal assistance to women, and even spearheading a seed bank to help strengthen the voices and value of women in rural India.

“It is a big achievement," says representative Sikha Roy. "My work is the first of its kind in West Bengal, but the fact that I am working in a rural set up, reaching out with my ideas on a global platform was unimaginable. I got to share my ideas and work through Changemakers, and now having a global recognition for my efforts through this award is really exciting.”

Congratulations to Sikha Roy and SRREOSHI on their amazing work! Learn more about the winners and finalists changing lives through agricultural innovations.