Kohima, August 30 (MExN): The M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), in collaboration with JSW Foundation, has announced the inaugural Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar: JSW Foundation-MSSRF National Award for Women in Agriculture 2026, a national platform to recognise the contributions of women and women-led institutions in agriculture, food systems, rural livelihoods and ecological stewardship across India.
The award seeks to honour field-based women leaders and institutions whose work has contributed to agriculture, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, nutrition security and rural communities, often without receiving national recognition.
The initiative aims to highlight the knowledge, innovation, leadership and commitment of women contributing to India's agrarian and rural economy. It will also provide a platform for knowledge sharing, peer learning and encouraging future generations of women leaders in agriculture.
The awards will recognise contributions under three categories — Seeds, Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge; Climate Resilience and Ecological Stewardship; and Nutrition Security and Rural Livelihoods.
The Bhoomi Jaa Rashtriya Samman will also be conferred as a special citation for transformative leadership and women-centred innovation and technology design.
The jury comprises Dr R A Mashelkar, eminent mentor and Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awardee; Dr Renu Swarup, Jury Chair and former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India; T Nanda Kumar, IAS (Retd.), former Agriculture Secretary, Government of India and former Chairman, NDDB; Prof Nitya Rao, scholar of gender, rural livelihoods, food systems and women's work; Prof Sanjay Zodpey, President, Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI); R Pavithra Kumar, CEO, JSW Foundation; and Mayfereen Ryntathiang, Founder, Grassroot Shillong and grassroots leader from the North East.
Recipients will receive a citation, trophy and cash prize ranging from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 7 lakh, jointly conferred by JSW Foundation and MSSRF. They will also receive national visibility, access to professional networks and opportunities to engage with a community of women leaders working across rural India.
Indian women aged 18 years and above who have demonstrated sustained contributions to agriculture, allied sectors or rural livelihoods, as well as women-led institutions, are eligible for nomination.
Nominations can be submitted through self-nomination or by supporting organisations and institutions. The nomination window opened on August 14 and applications will be accepted until September 15.
Applications can be submitted through the official award portal on the MSSRF website. Award-related queries can be addressed to the Award Secretariat, Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar, MSSRF, at mahila.krishishakti@mssrf.res.in or 044-22541229.
