Seventeen different crops grow simultaneously on the land managed by Rahibai Soma Popere in the Akole block of Ahmednagar. A farmer without formal schooling, she gained recognition for her expertise in agricultural biodiversity. Her efforts center on preserving native seeds and teaching rural communities how to transform unproductive wasteland into fertile ground capable of sustaining local dietary needs.
Agricultural Methodology
Popere developed specialized techniques for seed selection, soil maintenance, and pest management. Her practical approach includes four-step paddy cultivation and innovative water harvesting methods. By utilizing these systems, she successfully converted unusable areas into productive zones. Support from the Maharashtra Institute of Technology Transfer for Rural Areas, also known as MITTRA, enabled her to incorporate poultry rearing into her farm operations.
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As a member of the Mahadev Koli community, she works extensively through the Kalsubai Parisar Biyanse Sarvdhan, a committee dedicated to seed conservation in the Kalsubai region. She creates varieties of hyacinth beans specifically for local self-help groups and families. In 2017, the BAIF Development Research Foundation surveyed her gardens, confirming that the produce could supply a family's full nutritional requirements for an entire year.
Professional Recognition
Raghunath Mashelkar, formerly of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, designated her the Seed Mother. Her contributions earned her a place on the BBC 100 Women list in 2018. That same year, the Ministry of Women and Child Development presented her with the Nari Shakti Puraskar. She later received the Padma Shri in 2020. Earlier, in 2015, she was acknowledged by Prem Mathur of Bioversity International and R. R. Hanchinal.
Fast facts
- Born: 1964
- Citizenship: India
- Community: Mahadev Koli
- Primary Field: Organic agriculture
- Notable Epithet: Seed Mother
- Award: Nari Shakti Puraskar, 2018
- Award: Padma Shri, 2020
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of her conservation work?
She helps farmers transition back to native crop varieties and provides training on sustainable seed selection and soil management.
Which organizations have supported her agricultural initiatives?
She has worked with the BAIF Development Research Foundation and the Maharashtra Institute of Technology Transfer for Rural Areas.
