PepsiCo launches RevolutioNari Awards to empower women in agriculture

PepsiCo India celebrated the extraordinary contributions of women in agriculture by launching the RevolutioNari Conference and Awards 2024 in New Delhi. This inaugural event underscores the company’s commitment to fostering inclusive growth through collaboration with the government, partner organizations, and local communities.

The RevolutioNari Awards aim to recognize and amplify the leadership and impact of women in agriculture, honoring their essential role in driving agricultural innovation and sustainability.

The event, which also marked the launch of the RevolutioNari Anthem, saw ten women farmers from across India being awarded for their groundbreaking work. These women were selected after a comprehensive evaluation of nominations from across the nation. An esteemed jury of experts, led by Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, reviewed the submissions under five key categories:

• Breaking Gender Stereotypes & Implementing Best Farming Practices:
Gold: Tapasi Pal (West Bengal)
Silver: Sanju Yogi (Rajasthan)
• Economic Empowerment through SHGs:
Gold: Ganapathi SHG (Telangana)
Silver: Sarayan Farmer Producer Company Ltd. (Uttar Pradesh)
• Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture:
Gold: Shivani Kisku (Jharkhand)
Silver: Manguben Jaga (Gujarat)
• Protection and Promotion of Native Indigenous Food Systems:
Gold: Monika Mohite (Maharashtra)
Silver: Sujata Paramanik (West Bengal)
• Youth Innovators in Agriculture:
Gold: Surbhi Kumari (Bihar)
Silver: Anima Aind (Jharkhand)

The awards ceremony, attended by prominent dignitaries, included the Hon'ble Chief Guests Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Government of India, and Smt. Smriti Irani, Former Minister of Women and Child Development, as well as the keynote speaker Ajit Balaji Joshi, Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Government of Punjab. The dignitaries delivered inspiring addresses emphasizing the crucial need to elevate women’s roles in agriculture.

Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary shared: “With changing times, our farmers have embraced sustainable agricultural practices, and women have emerged as strong pillars of this system, playing an indispensable role in driving progress. Agricultural development is unimaginable without their invaluable contribution. I congratulate PepsiCo India for empowering and recognizing them as key leaders in the industry.”

Ajit Balaji Joshi highlighted: “I am incredibly proud to see women’s representation in this room surpassing that of men. Organizations like PepsiCo India are instrumental in helping farmers explore opportunities in agriculture, food processing, and beyond. Women’s participation in this sector is essential for driving sustainable growth and innovation.”

Jagrut Kotecha, CEO, PepsiCo India and South Asia, stated: “At PepsiCo India, we are committed to an inclusive future where women are empowered to lead change. Through our RevolutioNari initiative, which aims to empower 1 million women across India by 2026, we are driving tangible, positive societal impact. As an agri company working closely with farmers for over three decades, we are proud to bring these remarkable stories to life through the RevolutioNari Awards.”

The event also featured insightful panel discussions, workshops, and knowledge exchanges. Topics like “Policy Perspectives: Advancing Gender Equality in Agriculture”, “Empowering Women Through Financial Inclusion, Innovation, and Technology”, and “Seed to Smile: Cultivating Resilience for a Better Tomorrow” focused on empowering women in agriculture through innovation, financial inclusion, and climate-smart practices.

The event was made possible with the support of The Social Lab as the knowledge partner, and Avian WE, the official outreach partner, who helped drive awareness and engagement for this pioneering initiative.