Women in rural India's agricultural sector join forces to combat the challenges posed by climate change.

Women Farmers in Bisfi, Bihar Thrive Amidst Climate Challenges

In the heart of Madhubani district, a small village named Bisfi stands out amidst the cracked and crumbling fields. Here, the majority of farmers are women, their colorful saris and headscarves a vibrant contrast against the barren landscape.

The climate in Bihar has become extremely unpredictable, with tens of millions of people surviving through intensive droughts for nearly nine months of the year. Yet, women in Bihar have united to not only survive but thrive, particularly at a time when their lives and wellbeing are being directly threatened by climate change.

Rubi Devi, a female farmer in Bisfi, is the President of her Farmer Producer Organization (FPO). The formation of the FPO has allowed female agricultural workers in Bisfi to pool their resources and participate in larger markets.

Heifer International, a non-profit organization, initiated the Bihar Sustainable Livelihood Development (BSLD) program in early 2020 to improve the livelihoods of 70,000 families by 2025. The BSLD program focuses on increasing income, nutrition, and resilience.

The FPO in Bisfi secures better rates for ingredients directly from the wholesale supplier and mixes them together at their headquarters. The main focus of the FPO is making and selling supplemented goat fodder, which has been a significant boost to their income. The FPO in Bisfi counts almost 1,000 members.

Across six focus regions in Bihar, hundreds of community groups have been started, and 18 FPOs like Devi's are now up and running in other districts. The BSLD program aims to strengthen value chains, scale market access, and fuel women-led enterprises that are reshaping Bihar's rural economy.

Summer began in February this year, a month earlier than usual, in northern parts of India. The extreme heat, elongated droughts, and catastrophic flash floods during monsoon season have put millions of livelihoods at risk. However, the BSLD program is focused on ensuring these groups can continue to flourish sustainably.

Displacing millions of the most vulnerable people in Bihar overnight, whole settlements have been washed away by catastrophic flash floods during monsoon season. Yet, the FPOs established through the BSLD program are proving to be a beacon of hope, providing a means for these women to earn a livelihood and support their families.

In 2024-25, Devi's FPO generated over 2.4 million rupees (US$27,300), a testament to the success of the BSLD program. The BSLD program, Heifer International's flagship rural transformation model in India, has benefitted over 70,000 families in Bihar.

As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, the story of the women in Bisfi serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of humanity. Despite the odds stacked against them, these women are not only surviving but thriving, carving out a sustainable future for themselves and their communities.

Women in rural India's agricultural sector join forces to combat the challenges posed by climate change.