Guwahati: The Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, hailed "unsung hero" Trinity Saioo, a tribal turmeric farmer who has been honoured with the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour, for 2020.
The 52-year-old from Meghalaya is credited with spearheading the women-led turmeric farming movement in the state and it has been reported that her initiative has allowed women farmers to triple their income. Ms Saioo is a school teacher and a tribal farmer who has led 800 women in the hill state in cultivating Lakadong turmeric - which was not a traditional crop until the former schoolteacher helped elevate its notoriety.
Up to that point, the villagers had been growing a variety of turmeric called Lachein, which had less market demand and poorer curcumin content. In 2003, Ms Saioo planted Lakadong turmeric and saw her profits rise twofold. The next year, she managed to convince others to do so as well.
The Spices Board (Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India) has also hailed this "progressive" farmer who has now become a symbol of women empowerment. "Trinity Saioo a progressive farmer who led hundreds of farmers in Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya to cultivate & boost the popularity of indigenous high curcumin Lakadong variety of turmeric", the board wrote in a tweet.
A resident of Mulieh village in West Jaintia Hills Ms Saioo simultaneously also helped women with organic certification, marketing, and documentation, allowing them to avail subsidies, and bringing more and more smiles to the faces of the womenfolk.