BIBI FATIMA SHG WINS UNDP EQUATOR INITIATIVE AWARD
Context:
- The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group (SHG) from Teertha village, Kundgol taluk, Dharwad district (Karnataka), has won the Equator Initiative Award 2025 given by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
- This award is often described as the “Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation”, recognizing local and indigenous efforts that promote nature-based solutions, sustainable development, and climate resilience
ABOUT THE EQUATOR INITIATIVE
- Instituted by the UNDP.
- Announced every year on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9).
- Recognises indigenous people and local communities who lead innovative, nature-based solutions.
- 2025 Theme: Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action.
- 2025 Competition: Around 700 entries from 103 countries.
- Bibi Fatima SHG: The only Indian winner among 10 global recipients.
- Award includes: A cash prize of $10,000 (approx. ₹8.5 lakh).
ABOUT BIBI FATIMA WOMEN’S SHG
Formation and Vision
- Formed in 2018 by 15 women.
- Objective: Improve livelihoods of small and marginal farmers through sustainable agriculture.
KEY ACTIVITIES & ACHIEVEMENTS
- Eco-friendly Farming in Rainfed Lands
- Promoted natural farming and climate-resilient practices.
- Implemented millet-based mixed cropping systems in around 30 villages.
- Millet Promotion and Processing
- Encouraged millet cultivation as a climate-resilient food crop.
- Established a women-run millet processing unit.
- Supported by:
- Sahaja Samruddha (mentoring organisation)
- Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad
- CROPS4HD initiative
- Selco Foundation (provided solar-powered energy)
- Community Seed Bank
- Created to preserve indigenous seed varieties.
- Distributed seeds free of cost to interested farmers.
- Value Addition and Marketing
- Produced and marketed value-added millet products like rotis and vermicelli.
- Participated in farmers’ markets to promote millet-based food.
- Livelihood and Nutrition Security
- Ensured food and nutritional security for farming families.
- Promoted livestock rearing and horticulture.
- Focused on women-led rural enterprises in collaboration with Devadhanya Farmer Producer Company.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
- Recognition of Grassroots Innovation
- Highlights the role of local, women-led initiatives in addressing climate change, sustainable farming, and rural development.
- Promoting Millets
- Supports India’s millet revival movement, aligned with the International Year of Millets (2023).
- Helps tackle malnutrition, climate stress, and soil degradation.
- Women’s Empowerment
- Demonstrates the transformational role of SHGs in rural India.
- Offers a successful model of female leadership in climate action and economic upliftment.
- Nature-Based Solutions
- Aligns with global environmental goals, especially SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
CONCLUSION
The award to Bibi Fatima SHG is a strong recognition of how local community action, especially led by women, can create impactful models of sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. It reflects the power of bottom-up development, and offers a replicable example for policymakers and civil society alike.
Note: Connect with Vajirao & Reddy Institute to keep yourself updated with latest UPSC Current Affairs in English.
Note: We upload Current Affairs Except Sunday.