Leadership alongwith technology among rural women leads to empowerment of women. Keeping this in view, the scientists of ICAR-CIWA intervened mushroom technology with the women of Nimapara block under Puri district of Odisha by following the group approach. Gradually, the scientists identified the women leaders from WSHGs / WFPC and developed leadership qualities among them through various capacity building programmes. It was observed that, leadership impacted on improved access of women to homestead land, suitable technologies, research organizations, financial agencies, input dealers, government schemes, market, etc. Women were found to have better knowledge, communication skill, group cohessiveness, nutritional security, economic stability, mobility and productivity. A strong linkage was also established with different stakeholders for easy availability of inputs and marketing. Hence, leadership development is indispensable to enable farm women to take valuable decisions for an equitable society.