In Karnataka, India, a women-led farmers’ collective called the Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Sangha SHG received the 2025 UNDP Equator Prize in recognition of their creative, environmentally friendly farming methods. It aids more than 5,000 farmers by encouraging millet cultivation through mixed cropping and preserving traditional seeds, and it operates in 30 communities. The collective improves biodiversity, guarantees food security, and generates employment, especially for women and young people, by fusing traditional knowledge with contemporary resources like solar-powered processing machinery. The Karnataka Women Farmers’ Collective wins UNDP Equator Prize 2025 which was chosen from more than 700 nominations worldwide, is a prime example of using nature to combat climate change after being named a “Change Maker” in 2023, leader Bibifathima will get $10,000 and go to international gatherings, such as COP30, to demonstrate their influential model.

Empowering Communities Through Sustainable Farming

With operations in 30 Karnataka villages, Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Sangha SHG helps more than 5,000 farmers by maintaining indigenous seed varieties and encouraging millet growth through mixed cropping. To increase sustainability and efficiency, the collective combines traditional farming knowledge with cutting-edge technologies like solar-powered processing equipment. These initiatives have improved food security, restored local ecosystems, and generated employment possibilities, especially for women and youth.

In 2023, Deccan Herald named the group’s leader, Bibifathima, a “Change Maker,” in recognition of her crucial contribution in promoting change at the grassroots level. Supported by the Sahaja Samruddha seed conservation network, the collective has gained international attention for its impact and has emerged as a model for sustainable agriculture.

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Global Recognition for Local Impact

Every two years since its inception in 2002, the Equator Prize honors community-led projects that promote resilience and preserve the environment. With winners from nations like Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Tanzania, this year’s topic, “Nature on climate action,” showcases initiatives run by women and young people. Diverse organizations have received funding in the past, including Indigenous cooperatives in Mexico, mangrove restorers in Myanmar, and forest guardians in Nepal.

Karnataka Women Farmers’ Collective wins UNDP Equator Prize 2025 and, in addition to receiving $10,000, each 2025 winner—including Karnataka’s collective—will get to attend international gatherings, including the UN General Assembly and COP30 in Brazil. Underscoring the significance of such endeavors, UN assistant secretary general Marcos Neto said, “The 2025 Equator Prize winners remind us of the vision and leadership of Indigenous peoples and local communities.” In addition to changing Karnataka’s agricultural landscape, Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Sangha SHG stimulates international efforts toward a sustainable, inclusive future by fusing innovation and tradition.

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