Know Your Farmers

Kong Trinity Saioo: The Woman Who Lit the Lakadong Revolution

52 years. 1000+ women. 1 Padma Shri.

One woman who chose the soil over comfort.

Before she became the face of the Lakadong turmeric revolution,

Kong Trinity Saioo was a schoolteacher—teaching children by day, tending her land by evening.

She never set out to become a leader.

She simply wanted to support her family with honesty and hard work.

But hidden beneath her village soil in Meghalaya was a quiet treasure:

Lakadong turmeric, a native variety known globally for its exceptionally high curcumin content.

She recognised its value.

She recognised its potential.

And she recognised the responsibility to protect it.

From Survival to a Movement

What began as a family need soon grew into something far bigger.

Kong Trinity went from home to home, inviting women farmers to learn, grow, and work together.

She shared her knowledge, her vision, and her confidence—patiently and persistently.

A few farmers became a group.

The group became a community.

The community became Mission Lakadong, now supported by Mission Meghalaya.

Today, she leads over 1000 women farmers, strengthening:

• Household incomes
  
• Community identity
  
• Indigenous agricultural pride
  
• Sustainable, nature-led farming practices
  

For her extraordinary contributions, she received the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honours.

She is now known as “Turmeric Trinity.”

A name she carries with humility.

A legacy she continues to grow—step by step, season by season.

Because when one woman leads with her roots,

a thousand others bloom with her.