“Our elders say, if you never put an axe to a mahua tree, it won’t let a person go hungry”
—Kalabai Merawi, 45, Kannai village, Madhya Pradesh
Woman Farmer Project
Meet the Fellows
Meet our cohort of six fellows who spent May to August 2026 reporting on the experiences, labour, and knowledge of woman farmers from Meghalaya, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh.
About the Woman Farmer Project
A multimedia storytelling and public-engagement initiative that documents and amplifies the lived experiences, knowledge systems, and everyday labour of women farmers across India’s food landscapes.
The Future of Seed-Keeping in Meghalaya
Highlighting the key role of women farmers in seed conservation in the face of the climate crisis, this Beyond the Plate session discussed how local communities are coming together in Meghalaya to preserve traditional kn…
Niang Ryndia Salad
In Meghalaya, Eri silkworm pupae are often eaten after the silk cocoon has been harvested.
“We have always lived on these islands and gone to sea. How can the state say it does not belong to us?”
—S. Pandiammal, 44, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
How We Trained Our Storytelling Fellows
In preparation for the storytellers’ time on the ground, working with communities, The Locavore hosted five experts across different fields with diverse experiences and skills.