ESAF Swasraya Cooperative Honours Abhilasha Bahuguna and Looms of Ladakh

Thrissur: Kerala-based ESAF Swasraya Multi-State Agro Cooperative Society Ltd. held its 15th Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) at the Dharsana Convention Centre, Vilangannur, Thrissur, on September 26, 2026. The AGM was followed by a special programme commemorating the United Nations International Year of Women Farmers 2026, celebrating women-led enterprises and farmer-producer organisations contributing to rural livelihoods and local economies.

The AGM marked the release of the ESAF Cooperative Annual Report 2025–26 by Dr. K. Paul Thomas, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of ESAF Cooperative. Chairperson Smt. Saleena George presided over the meeting, while CEO George Thomas presented the annual report.

The public meeting was inaugurated by Shri O. J. Janeesh, Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Kerala, with Dr. K. Paul Thomas delivering the keynote address.

Abhilasha Bahuguna and Looms of Ladakh honoured

As part of the celebrations of the International Year of Women Farmers, ESAF Cooperative honoured several women agro and allied entrepreneurs and farmer-producer organisations for their contributions to rural development and women-led economic initiatives.

Among those honoured was Dr. Abhilasha Bahuguna, Co-founder and Strategist of Looms of Ladakh Women Cooperative Society and Looms of Niti Mana Cooperative. Dr. Bhagyashree of Pruthashakthi FPC, Maharashtra, was also honoured during the programme.

The recognition highlighted women-led cooperative and producer institutions working to strengthen livelihoods, local value addition and community-based enterprise models.

ESAF Cooperative and Looms of Ladakh exchange MoU

The programme also witnessed the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between ESAF Cooperative and participating farmer-producer organisations, including Pruthashakthi FPC and Looms of Ladakh.

The partnerships are intended to facilitate cooperation, knowledge sharing and institutional collaboration with farmer-producer organisations, creating opportunities for exchange of experience and strengthening community-based producer institutions.

The event brought together cooperative leaders, policymakers, farmer-producer organisations, women entrepreneurs and development practitioners to mark the contribution of women farmers and rural producer institutions to inclusive and locally rooted economic development.

Himalayan Live Bureau