Kulgam woman earns livelihood through Mushroom cultivation
Sets example for others to start business ventures
Kulgam: A woman from Kotraso village in south Kashmir’s Kulgam is growing organic mushrooms to earn her livelihood and become financially independent.
By taking to the cultivation at home, Bisma Shabir daughter of Shabir Ahmad Sheikh has ensured good annual income for her family.
Bisma who has pursued her master’s degree in arts while talking to ‘Kashmir Vision’ said that she received training for mushroom cultivation through the Agricultural Department in Kashmir and subsequently established her own business venture near her residence.
At her venture, she backed by her family has been earning her livelihood as well and she gives credit of her success to the NRLM department.
“I came through different schemes through NRLM that benefited me a lot and also thanked trainers and employees who supported her throughout his journey,” she said.
She started mushroom cultivation at her home and harvested mushrooms locally known as ‘Heddar’ in her very first attempt.
“After getting good response in very first attempt, I approached the agriculture department for more mushroom bags,” she said, adding that, through cultivation, I not only earned a livelihood for my family but I also helped many people in marketing of mushrooms.
She said that later she increased the number of bags and now she is earning her livelihood very well.
With this business, I feel financially independent and many other educated women of the area have got inspired who are set to start this business as well, she said.
“After sowing mushroom seeds, the crop gets ready in a few weeks. Once the crop is ready, the mushrooms are placed in small boxes with proper packaging. The packed organic mushroom boxes are sold in vegetable markets between Rs 25 and 50,” she said.
Mushrooms have become a famous vegetable in Kashmir, and over the years, Mushroom Yakhni, a delicious curry cooked with yoghurt and spices, has been introduced in Kashmiri multi-cuisine, Wazwan.
With success of Bisma, she has become an inspiration for hundreds of unemployed woman and dozens of unemployed woman have started joining this field and trying their luck.
