In the village of Dabhadi, located in Malegaon Taluka of Maharashtra, a quiet transformation is taking shape- one led not by policymakers or corporations, but by women farmers determined to change the way India grows its food.
Among them stands Bhawna Neelkanth Nikam, a farmer whose hands, calloused by years of work, now nurture the land in ways that heal it. Her journey is one of resilience, awareness, and courage, a story that represents hundreds of women rewriting the future of Indian agriculture.
The Root of Change
‘I am Bhawna Neelkanth Nikam, a woman farmer from Dabhadi, in Nashik district,’ she introduces herself with quiet pride.
When Nikam found out about the various illnesses linked to the use of chemical and artificial pesticides, she decided to make the change that transforms India’s agricultural cover from it’s roots. As she pivoted to organic farming techniques and natural sources of manure, she decided to involve as many women as she could, in ways of farming that are more planet-friendly.
The Health of the Soil, The Health of the People
In rural India, where small and marginal farmers often struggle to balance yield and cost, switching to organic methods isn’t an easy decision. But for Bhawna and women farmers like her- Ratna Devre, Mayuri Nikam and Bharti Sonavane, the decision turned fruitful- both for the pocket and for the planet.
Bharti event explains how company-made pesticides are very expensive. Even when they spent more, they didn’t always get good yields. The onions didn’t grow well, the soil became weaker. Organic Manure, she admits, not only it nourishes the earth but also gives them a better harvest.
The womens’ approach is holistic- they rear livestock to produce natural manure, prepares seeds at home during the summer, and rotates her crops across onions, toor dal, corn, and bajra to maintain soil fertility.
The story of Bhawna and her peers is part of a larger movement across India, where women farmers are embracing sustainability, not as a trend, but as a return to traditional wisdom. They are proving that the path to a healthier planet begins in the smallest of farms, with the simplest of choices.
Organic manure replaces chemical fertilizers. Home-prepared seeds replace hybrids. Cow dung replaces factory-made pesticides. And self-reliance replaces dependency on corporate suppliers.
In Dabhadi, agriculture is agency.
By leading this change, women farmers are not only protecting their environment but also securing their families’ financial stability. In communities where men often migrate to cities for work, women like Bhawna, Mayuri, Bharti and Ratna ensure that farming remains a dignified, viable livelihood.
About Women for the Planet:
‘Women for the Planet’ is Her Circle’s inspiring video series that aims to highlight the extraordinary contributions of women toward protecting and preserving the planet. These women, from diverse backgrounds and regions, are driving change in unique ways- reviving traditional crafts, championing sustainable practices, uplifting their communities, and redefining what it means to live in harmony with nature. With the series, the goal is to foster awareness and appreciation for women-led sustainability efforts and inspire action through relatable stories of resilience and innovation.