Mushroom cultivation empowering women in Baikunthpur District

Women engaged in mushroom production activities.

Our Correspondent :

BAIKUNTHPUR,

WHILE almost all sections are economically-hit by the existing lockdown crisis, women Self Help Groups (SHG) are still a source of inspiration to many. Keeping all adversities aside, women SHG in rural areas of the district are empowering themselves by practicing mushroom cultivation. They are earning a good income through it. Mushroom cultivation is very common in several remote villages of district. Over two dozens of women are reported to have earned a good income by cultivating Mushroom. In an official statement, Zila Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tulika Prajapati informed that the district had ample opportunities for Mushroom cultivation that is why more and more women were being connected to it under State Government’s ‘Bihan’ scheme.

The CEO informed that the selected women groups are imparted training for Mushroom cultivation through Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI). After training, the women themselves practice Mushroom cultivation at their houses or at self-help group centers with necessary guidance. As per the CEO, Mushroom comes under the category of nutritious diet and is easily sold at the local markets. She further said that now the women were more inclined towards Mushroom cultivation as it needs very low cost and hard work. CEO Tulika Prajapati informed that during lockdown, more than two dozen women have practiced Mushroom cultivation and earned a good income.

Of these, Lakshmi women self-help group cultivated 24 kg of Mushroom during lockdown and got a profit of Rs 4,800 be selling it at Rs 200 per kg. Similarly, Kotadol-based Ramdasiya Singh, who is a member of Prarthna women self-help group, cultivated 60 kg Mushroom and earned around Rs 12,000 whereas Parvati Singh of Vandana self-help group cultivated 5 kg Mushroom and earned Rs 1000 from the same. There are many such women who have earned a great income by cultivating Mushroom and that too during lockdown period. CEO Prajapati informed that apart from being sold in local market, the Mushrooms are being sold through Koriya Mushroom Center as well.

Also, when the Mushrooms are not sold, the Mushrooms are dried and sent for sale through Koriya Agricultural Science Center. She further informed that the Jai Ma Kali women self-help group has cultivated 150 kg of mushroom and earned a profit of Rs 30,000 thousand which is one of the highest incomes. The CEO said that her entire team along with the help of Livelihood Mission are working their best to provide all related information to the women and are also making sure that they have proper demand in the market.