New Delhi, August 27, 2026: 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 and celebrate the contributions of women and women-led institutions in agriculture, food systems, rural livelihoods and ecological stewardship across India.
The award seeks to honour grassroots women leaders and institutions whose work is contributing to agriculture, biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, nutrition security and the strengthening of rural communities. The initiative aims to bring national visibility to women whose knowledge, innovation, leadership and commitment are playing an important role in shaping India’s agricultural and rural economy.
The award will also provide a platform for knowledge sharing, peer learning and encouraging future generations of women leaders in agriculture.
“ Agriculture employs a large majority of rural women in India, yet many of their contributions remain under-recognised. The Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar seeks to make visible the leadership, knowledge and enterprise of women who are shaping agriculture and rural livelihoods every day. We hope this platform will not only honour outstanding women leaders, but also create role models for many more women and girls across rural India,” said Reema Sathe, JSW Chair – Women in Agriculture & Rural Systems, MSSRF.
The awards will recognise outstanding contributions under three categories — Seeds, Biodiversity and Indigenous Knowledge; Climate Resilience and Ecological Stewardship; and Nutrition Security and Rural Livelihoods.
In addition, the Bhoomi Jaa Rashtriya Samman will be conferred as a special citation for transformative leadership and women-centred innovation and technology design.
The awards will be decided by an eminent jury comprising 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; Shri T. Nanda Kumar, IAS (Retd.), former Agriculture Secretary, Government of India and former Chairman, NDDB; Prof. Nitya Rao, internationally recognised scholar of gender, rural livelihoods, food systems and women’s work; Prof. Sanjay Zodpey, President, PHFI and public health leader; Mr R. Pavithra Kumar, CEO, JSW Foundation; and Ms Mayfereen Ryntathiang, founder of Grassroot Shillong and grassroots leader from the North East.
Award recipients will receive a citation, trophy and cash prize ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹7 lakh, jointly conferred by JSW Foundation and MSSRF. The recipients will also receive enhanced national visibility, access to professional networks and opportunities to engage with a growing community of women leaders working across rural India.
Nominations are open to 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. Nominations can be submitted through self-nomination or by supporting organisations and institutions.
The nomination window opened on August 14, 2026, and applications will be accepted until September 15, 2026.
Interested applicants can submit their nominations through the official award portal available on the MSSRF website. Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar – MSSRF
For award-related queries, the Award Secretariat, Mahila Krishi Shakti Puraskar, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, can be contacted at mahila.krishishakti@mssrf.res.in or 044-22541229.
MSSRF media contacts are Jyoti Shelar, Head of Communications & Donor Outreach, at 9920394959, and Shriya Naidu, Science Communication Manager, at 9791196037.
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