Women's Health and the Power of Sustainable Living

In Odisha, nearly 60% of women suffer from anaemia, while malnutrition and hormonal imbalances continue to cast long shadows over their daily lives.

- Mrs. Poonam Mohapatra Director, Organelle Farms and MGM Agritech & Research Institute Pvt. Ltd., Odisha

The burden of household responsibilities, coupled with limited access to nutritious food, has left many women neglecting their own well-being. Yet, amidst these challenges, a quiet revolution is taking root—one where health and sustainability go hand in hand.

For many women, the day begins before sunrise. From preparing meals for the family to finishing household chores before heading to the fields, their work is ceaseless. The exhaustion often goes unnoticed, their sacrifices unspoken. A study by the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) highlights that over 57% of women in Odisha aged 15–49 are anaemic, a condition that weakens immunity, causes fatigue, and affects productivity. Yet, many women continue working through weakness, dismissing their own health concerns as secondary to family responsibilities.

At the break of dawn, 32-year-old Ujala Pradhan steps into the fields of Organelle Farms, the rich scent of earth filling the air as she inspects the morning harvest. A mother of two, she has spent years toiling under the sun, ensuring her family eats well—often at the cost of her own nutrition.