Women Empowerment in Rural India
Empowered rural women standing together, representing community strength and solidarity in rural India.
Seeds of Change: How The MAHATO Foundation is Transforming Over 100,000 Lives in Eastern India
05 Aug 2025
A Women-Led Agri Movement Reimagining Rural India with Sustainable Farming, Livelihoods & Dignity
July 2025 | Eastern India — In the vibrant fields of Nawadih, Jamtara, Bolpur, and Boipariguda, a quiet yet powerful revolution is taking shape. It isn’t driven by big machines or policy documents, but by women in sarees—hands deep in soil, minds full of hope—who are redefining what rural progress looks like.
At the heart of this change is The MAHATO Foundation and its flagship initiative #KrishiShaktiAbhiyan, which has reached over 100,000 small and marginal farmers across 500+ villages in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Odisha. This is one of the largest grassroots, women-led agricultural empowerment programs in Eastern India.
“We are not just growing crops. We are growing confidence.”
From the tribal hamlets of Sonua (Jharkhand) to the laterite-rich fields of Pingla (West Bengal), women farmers are stepping into leadership roles once thought impossible.
“They told me I was just a farmer’s wife. Today, I am a farming trainer for 5 villages,” shares Malti Devi, a Self-Help Group (SHG) leader from Ramgarh, Jharkhand.
These stories are not exceptions—they are part of a scalable, structured movement that blends traditional wisdom, climate-smart innovations, and digital inclusion, all while being led by women and aligned with India’s development goals.
A Green Revolution, Reimagined — Powered by the SDGs
The Foundation’s efforts bring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to life in rural India, tackling poverty, hunger, gender inequality, and climate challenges all at once.
How the SDGs Come Alive:
- SDG 1 – No Poverty: Agro-based livelihood programs in marginalized regions
- SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Community seed banks & natural farming methods
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Over 70% direct participation by women farmers
- SDG 8 – Decent Work & Growth: 2,500+ new agri-enterprises created
- SDG 9 – Industry & Innovation: Digital access to markets & irrigation tools
- SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities: Special focus on SC/ST, tribal, and backward communities
- SDG 12 – Responsible Production: Eco-friendly inputs & circular systems
- SDG 13 – Climate Action: Climate-resilient cropping, composting & water harvesting
- SDG 17 – Partnerships: Collaborations with SHGs, CSR partners & local bodies
The Impact in Numbers:
- 100,000+ farmers empowered
- 2,500+ women-led agri-businesses established
- 500+ villages across 4 states impacted
- 40%+ adoption of organic & natural farming
- 1,800+ SHGs trained in agri-entrepreneurship & market linkage
- ESG-aligned reporting for transparency & accountability
Villages at the Heart of Change
Jharkhand: Nawadih, Dumarkudar, Jamtara, Sonua
Bihar: Bihta, Araria, Islampur, Bahera
West Bengal: Pingla, Bolpur, Sabang
Odisha: Boipariguda, Bargarh, Nuapada, Nayagarh
A Call to Collaborate
The MAHATO Foundation is inviting government departments, PSUs, and CSR partners to help scale this initiative to 1,000+ villages and 250,000+ farmers in its next phase.
“This isn’t charity—it’s a circular, scalable model of development rooted in dignity, enterprise, and sustainability,” says the Foundation’s Strategic Head.
Interested in partnering?
govt.partnerships@themahatofoundation.org | csr@themahatofoundation.org
Visit: www.TheMahatoFoundation.org
Social: @MahatoFoundation | #KrishiShaktiAbhiyan #FarmersFirst #WomenInAgriculture
