The Mahadev Koli tribe, primarily residing in Maharashtra, is recognized for its distinct cultural heritage and traditional agricultural practices. Among its notable figures is Rahibai Soma Popere, a Padma Shri awardee known for her efforts in seed conservation and sustainable farming. Often referred to as the Seed Mother of India, she has helped preserve indigenous seed varieties, emphasizing biodiversity and community empowerment. Her work has been instrumental in reviving organic farming methods among the Mahadev Koli and other local communities.

In 2020, Rahibai Soma Popere received the Padma Shri in recognition of her hard efforts to conserve indigenous seeds, earning her the nickname "SEED Mother." Her outstanding services to agriculture are recognised with this award, which is India's fourth-highest civilian honour. Rahibai has devoted her life to encouraging farmers to adopt traditional farming methods and protecting hundreds of indigenous crop varieties. She is an ardent supporter of agro-biodiversity, organic farming, and the value of wild food sources.

Rahibai Popare, from the Mahadev Koli tribal community in Kombhalne village, Maharashtra, is a self-taught expert in agro-biodiversity and traditional farming. Despite lacking formal education, she learned farming and wild food practices from an early age. Driven by the need for seed sovereignty and nutritional security, she conserved 43 landraces of crops, benefiting 210 farmers in seven villages. Rahibai established nurseries for diverse crops and a kitchen garden for year-round nutrition, supporting sustainable agriculture through her in-situ germplasm conservation efforts.

Rahibai’s work with the Kalsubai Parisar Biyanee Savardhan Samiti has led to a community seed bank conserving 122 landraces of 32 crops. She has mastered the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), improved tomato and hyacinth bean cultivation, and promoted organic farming, participatory seed selection, and vermicomposting. She empowers women in Self-Help Groups, focusing on sanitation, seed conservation, and wild food exhibitions, inspiring farmers and agricultural experts across Maharashtra to visit her in-situ conservation center and kitchen garden.

The Padma Shri awarded to Rahibai Soma Popere has brought significant attention to tribal achievements and cultural preservation in India. This award honors her individual contributions while underscoring the essential role of tribal communities in protecting biodiversity and sustaining traditional farming practices. Rahibai’s journey exemplifies how grassroots efforts can gain national acclaim, inspiring others to value their heritage and cultural contributions. It also highlights the need to support sustainable agriculture and protect indigenous knowledge.