Mushroom cultivation fuels economic empowerment for Baramulla women

Baramulla, Oct 24: In an extraordinary endeavour, the Agriculture Department of Baramulla has played a pivotal role in empowering hundreds of women while making a substantial contribution to the local economy through innovative, landless mushroom cultivation.

This groundbreaking approach has not only ushered in economic independence for women but has also significantly elevated the overall agricultural income in the district.

Mushroom cultivation, a process carried out twice a year during the spring and autumn seasons, has emerged as a remarkable success story in the region. The spring crop, extending from March to May, and the autumn crop, from September to November, have consistently provided abundant yields.

At the heart of this transformative initiative lies a humble 12 x 10 feet room equipped with cost-effective wooden racks. Within this modest space, 100 spawned compost bags are accommodated, each of which yields an impressive 1.5 to 2.0 kilograms of mushrooms. This ingenuity has become the foundation of this initiative’s resounding success.

This simple setup results in the production of approximately 2 quintals of mushrooms. The financial returns are impressive, with women generating around Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 each season. The net profit, averaging Rs. 25,000 per season, contributes an annual income of Rs 50,000 to each family involved.

Chief Agriculture Officer of Baramulla, Yadwinder Singh Sason, shared that they have provided approximately 250-300 such units to different self-help groups of women in the region. As a result, hundreds of women across the Baramulla district have experienced newfound empowerment and financial independence.

“The landless mushroom cultivation has boosted the economy of farmers. The main beneficiary of this initiative has been women self-help group members, whose economic prospects have shown a sharp increase,” he said.

One such success story comes from a woman in Arampora, Sopore, who believes that mushroom cultivation in a single room has made her self-reliant. The key advantage of this initiative is that it does not require any land, as a regular room suffices for mushroom cultivation. This makes it an efficient and profitable endeavour for women, offering them a sustainable livelihood.

“The mushroom cultivation has turned me self-reliant. I am no more dependent on male members of my family and can now share shoulder responsibility of my family also,” said Sajida from Sopore.

This initiative, which has been in operation for the last two years, has not only transformed the lives of local women but has also contributed to the agricultural income of the district. With an annual turnover ranging from Rs 1.80 crore to Rs 2 crore from mushroom cultivation, it has significantly bolstered the overall agricultural sector.

The demand for such units continues to grow in the Kashmir Valley, where good marketing avenues exist. Additionally, the used compost from mushroom cultivation acts as valuable manure, further enhancing agricultural practices in the area.