Songs of solidarity: India’s women farmers find strength in numbers
Khunti district in the state of Jharkhand is known for being the birthplace of Birsa Munda, a tribal leader who spearheaded a revolutionary movement in the Bengal presidenc y. However, today, the district is known for something else entirely: Mahila Mandal, a group of nearly 15,000-16,000 women farmers who have come together to form a collective.
The seeds of the group were sown in 2004, with the help of a not-for-profit organisation Professional Assistance for Development Action (PRADAN). Neelam Topno, a farmer belonging to the Munda tribe and on e of the female board members of the group, says PRADAN conducted workshops on a new method of growing rice, which used less water. The women in the group were also trained in growing vegetables and fruits in small kitchen gardens and nurseries.