What’s the Highlight?
The Bibi Fatima Women’s SHG, officially known as Bibifathima Swa Sahaya Sangha, has been honored with the prestigious UNDP Equator Prize 2025—often referred to as the “Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation.”
What Is the Equator Prize?
Awarding Body: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under its Equator Initiative.
Frequency: Biennial (every two years)
2025 Theme: Women and Youth Leadership for Nature-Based Climate Action.
Selection Pool: Over 700 nominations from 103 countries globally
Recognition: Includes a cash prize of US$10,000 (approx. ₹8.5 lakh) and opportunities to feature at events like the UN General Assembly and COP30
Key Achievements of Bibi Fatima SHG
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Formation | Began in 2018 with 15 women in Teertha village, Dharwad district, Karnataka |
| Scale | Now supports over 5,000 farmers across 30 villages |
| Farming Techniques | Revived millet-based mixed cropping using eco-friendly, chemical-free methods in rainfed, drought-prone lands |
| Biodiversity & Food Security | Established community seed banks preserving over 250 indigenous varieties, encouraging resilience and food sovereignty |
| Processing Innovation | Set up a women-managed solar-powered processing unit, producing millet-based foods (ragi dosa mix, vermicelli, etc.) |
| Collaborations | Partnered with institutions like Sahaja Samruddha, IIMR Hyderabad, CROPS4HD, Selco Foundation, and Devadhanya FPC for technical support and market access |
| Impact | Promoted climate resilience, organic agriculture, women-led rural enterprise, and biodiversity conservation aligned with SDGs |
UPSC Relevance
GS Paper II (IR & Social Issues): Highlights India’s role in global environmental leadership and women empowerment.
GS Paper III (Agriculture & Environment): Exemplifies nature-based climate solutions, agrobiodiversity, renewable technology use, and rural resilience.
Topics Covered: Millets revival, sustainable livelihoods, SHG-led enterprise, community seed systems, and grassroots climate action.
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