Dharwad self-help group promoting sustainable farming wins 'biodiversity Nobel'

Bengaluru: A self-help group (SHG) based in a Dharwad village is among the 10 global organisations awarded for their effective interventions to mitigate the impact of climate change at grassroots level.

The Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group from Teertha village in Kundgol taluk, whose role in building sustainable rural entrepreneurship was highlighted by Deccan Herald in 2023, has been honoured with the Equator Initiative Award given by the United Nations Development Programme, an award often referred to as the Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation.

Around 700 competitors from 103 countries participated in the selection process. This year’s award selection was based on the theme 'Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action'.

Representing India, the Bibi Fatima Women’s SHG was chosen for the prestigious recognition alongside organisations from Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Indonesia, Kenya, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, and Ecuador. The award includes a cash prize of USD 10,000 (approximately Rs 8.5 lakh).

DH had recognised the SHG's founder Bibi Jan as a changemaker, playing an exceptional role in society. Part of the Sahaja Samrudha network, the SHG has made remarkable achievements in various areas — from implementing eco-friendly farming practices in rainfed lands, managing community seed banks, ensuring food and nutrition security, promoting millet cultivation, and running a millet processing unit, to value addition and marketing. Notably, in about 30 villages, the group has successfully revived millet-based mixed cropping systems through natural farming methods.

Since its inception by 15 women in 2018 , the SHG has introduced millet-based mixed cropping on rainfed farms, empowered women, promoted climate-resilient farming systems, practiced livestock rearing and horticulture, and popularised millets at the village level. This work has simultaneously ensured both nutritional security and income stability.

The Bibi Fatima SHG has prioritised the conservation of indigenous crop varieties that fare better during climate extremes. When challenges arose in millet processing, the group -- supported by many organisations -- set up a millet processing unit entirely managed by women.