Women farmers leverage collective power to form producer company
Despite carrying out many farming activities, women lacked recognition. Coming together as a self-help group, they have found confidence to progress and use collective bargaining power to their advantage
“This is the recognition of our hard work, of establishing our identity as farmers. This is the time to celebrate,” said Moina Krishani. “We have come a long way. We will go a long way.”
Moina Krishani could not control her emotions as she received the news of their farmer producer company (FPC) becoming the first women producer company to be registered in Koraput, a tribal dominated district in southern Odisha.
The Koraput Nari Sakti Farmer Producer Company got registered under the Companies Act, 2013 on 23 July, 2020. “I feel happy that our company has been registered as Nari Shakti, the strength of the women,” said Moni Khillo, a board member. “The name itself will let everyone know that it is a company run by women.”
This is no mean feat for women who were reluctant to come out of their house about 10 years ago. Realizing the strength of being together, the women congregated into village level organizations, and then into federations, reaching out to more than 25,000 women in Koraput district.