Exceptional “Women” Shaping the Future of Agriculture Honoured at RevolutioNari Awards 2024 by PepsiCo India

0
3
  • RevolutioNari Awards, a first-of-its-kind platform championing women’s empowerment in the agriculture sector, launched by PepsiCo India

  • Aligned to PepsiCo India’s Partnership of Progress philosophy, the inaugural awards embody the company’s belief in sustainable collaboration with farmers and local communities to advance agricultural innovation, gender equality, and economic empowerment

  • Women in agriculture from across the country recognized at the platform, in the esteemed presence of Chief Guest Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Honble Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Government of India; Chief Guest Smt. Smriti Irani, Former Minister of Women and Child Development; Keynote Speaker Mr. Ajit Balaji Joshi, Secretary, Dept of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Govt. of Punjab

PepsiCo India reinforced its commitment to advancing women empowerment in the agricultural sector, by launching a first of its kind platform, the RevolutioNari Conference and Awards 2024 here in New Delhi. Based on PepsiCo India’s philosophy of Partnership in Progress, that reflects its commitment to foster inclusive growth through collaboration with government, partner organizations and communities, the event recognized and celebrated the exceptional contributions of women in agriculture. The event marked the launch of PepsiCo India’s RevolutioNari Anthem, underlining its commitment towards its ongoing flagship program RevolutioNari empowering women.

Honorable dignitaries and PepsiCo India leaders with the RevolutioNari Awards Winners

Ten women farmers from across India, were recognized for setting inspirational examples of women who are leading and inspiring many others towards more meaningful contribution to the sector. They were selected after a thorough evaluation of nominations submitted from across the country. An external jury comprising of sector experts headed by Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, reviewed the submissions under five categories:

  • Breaking Gender Stereotypes & Implementing Best Farming Practices: Tapasi Pal from West Bengal awarded Gold and Sanju Yogi from Rajasthan awarded Silver

  • Economic Empowerment through SHGs: Ganapathi SHG from Telangana awarded Gold and Sarayan Farmer Producer Company Ltd. from Uttar Pradesh awarded Silver

  • Innovation in Sustainable Agriculture: Shivani Kisku from Jharkhand awarded Gold and Manguben Jaga from Gujarat awarded Silver

  • Protection and Promotion of Native Indigenous Food Systems: Monika Mohite from Maharashtra awarded Gold and Sujata Paramanik from West Bengal awarded Silver

  • Youth Innovators in Agriculture: Surbhi Kumari from Bihar awarded Gold and Anima Aind from Jharkhand awarded Silver

Present for the awards ceremony and presenting awards to the winners were: Chief Guest Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Honble Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Government of India; Chief Guest Smt. Smriti Irani, Former Minister of Women and Child Development; Keynote Speaker Mr. Ajit Balaji Joshi, Secretary, Dept of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Govt. of Punjab. The Hon’ble dignitaries shared inspiring addresses underscoring the imperative to recognize and elevate women’s growing contributions and leadership in agriculture.

Hon’ble Chief Guest, Dr. Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Honble Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Government of India, shared in his address, “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. Hence, agricultural development is unimaginable without their invaluable contribution. I congratulate PepsiCo India for empowering and recognizing them as key leaders in the industry.”

Speaking at the event, Ajit Balaji Joshi, Secretary, Dept of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, Govt. of Punjab, shared, “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, shared, “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 now;we are committed to enhancing women representation in the sector through this initiative and take immense pride in bringing these remarkable stories to life through the RevolutioNari Awards; our heartiest congratulations to all the winners.”

The Social Lab as the knowledge partner brought together a stellar jury of industry experts for the awards and evaluation. Avian WE, the official outreach partner for the conference and awards, played a pivotal role in driving strategic engagement and elevating awareness for the initiative.

The event was marked by engaging panel discussions, workshops, and knowledge exchanges. Engaging workshops were designed to equip farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the evolving agricultural landscape. The panel discussions focused on advancing gender equality and resilience in agriculture. “Policy Perspectives: Advancing Gender Equality in Agriculture” emphasized targeted policies and training to empower women as agents of change. “Empowering Women Through Financial Inclusion, Innovation, and Technology” highlighted the role of innovation in enhancing women’s access to resources. “Seed to Smile: Cultivating Resilience for a Better Tomorrow” explored climate-smart practices and farmer empowerment to build a sustainable and resilient future. Over 150 agri sector experts including policymakers, agronomists, opinion leaders, corporates, academicians, etc., attended the RevolutioNari Conference and Awards 2024.

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $91 billion in net revenue in 2023, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on X (Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

Previous articleUjaas Celebrates Three Years of Girl Empowerment: Parivarthan Yodhas Leading the Change in Menstrual Health in Maharashtra
Next articleAnshul Bhatt & Team Secure 3rd Place in Kevin Stansbury Bracketed Round Robin Teams
Ravindra Kirti is a well-rounded Marketing professional with an impressive academic and professional portfolio. He is IIM Calcutta alumnus & holds a PhD in Commerce, having written an insightful thesis on consumer behavior and psychology, which informs his deep understanding of market dynamics and client engagement strategies. His academic journey includes an MBA in Marketing, where he specialized in strategic management, international marketing, and luxury retail management, equipping him with a global perspective and a strategic edge in high-end market segments. In addition to his business expertise, Ravindra is also academically trained in law, holding a Master’s in Law with specializations in law of patents, IT & IPR, police law and administration, white-collar crime, and corporate crime. This legal knowledge complements his role as the Chief at Jurislaw Partners, where he applies a blend of legal acumen and strategic marketing. With such a rich educational background, Ravindra excels across a range of fields, from legal marketing to luxury retail, and event design. His ability to interlace disciplines—commerce, marketing, and law—enables him to drive successful outcomes in every venture he undertakes, whether as Chief at Jurislaw Partners, Editor at Mojo Patrakar and Global Growth Forum, Founder of CircusINC, or Chief Designer at Byaah by CircusINC. On a personal note, Ravindra Kirti is not only a devoted pawrent to his pet, Kattappa, but also an enthusiast of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and holds a Taekwondo Dan 1. This active lifestyle complements his multifaceted career, reflecting his discipline, resilience, and commitment—qualities he brings into his professional relationships. His bond with Kattappa adds a warm, grounded side to his profile, showcasing his nurturing and compassionate nature, which shines through in his connections with clients and colleagues. Ravindra’s career exemplifies versatility, intellectual depth, and excellence. Whether through his contributions to media, law, events, or design, he remains a dynamic and influential presence, continually innovating and leaving a lasting impact across industries. His ability to balance these diverse roles is a testament to his strategic vision and dedication to making a difference in every field he enters.