Defying traditional norms, a number of women from South Kashmir’s Shopian district have carved an independent identity for themselves.
Thinking beyond traditional roles, many women from this southern region have made a name in various agriculture activities be it cultivation of high yield exotic vegetables, sheep rearing, dairy or fish farming.
However, for the past couple of years Mushroom cultivation has been emerging as a new trend in Shopian district which is traditionally known for growing high quality apples.
Shaheena Akhter from Mashwara village of Shopian, a mother of three started mushroom cultivation unit in the upper storey of her house in 2023.
Shaheena is a member of a self help group ( SHG) under NRLM ( National Rural Livelihoods Mission) and has been trained in Mushroom cultivation by scientists of SKUAST-K’s ( Sher e Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology- Kashmir’s) KVK ( Krishi Vigyan Kendra) Shopian.
“Initially, I was hesitant to venture into this new business activity fearing it might turn unsuccessful,” Shaheena said, adding that she was encouraged by the scientists at KVK Shopian which boosted her confidence to move ahead.
She was guided through all stages by the experts of KVK Shopian and Agriculture Department. Eventually, she was successful in harnessing more than 200 kilograms of Mushroom grown in 100 bags of compost.
“Since I have to take care of my daily chores, Mushroom cultivation suits my busy schedule” she said, adding that with family support she tends the unit during spare time.
The lady entrepreneur was provided free of cost training, mushroom spawn and compost free by the authorities. The women entrepreneur invested a meager amount of rupees 1,000 for procurement of recommended pesticides.
Bisma Jan is another young Mushroom entrepreneur from Shadab Karewa village of Shopian. She is in the 5th semester of her three year graduation. Bisma narrated that she attended an awareness programme as a member of a SHG and subsequently received a training programme on Cultivation of Mushroom at KVK Shopian. She reaped the first crop from 100 bags of compost successfully in 2023. She invested rupees 15,000 which were later recovered through subsidies.
The women entrepreneurs said that despite low market demand during 2023 they reaped a decent profit from mushroom cultivation.
District Programme Manager, NRLM Shopian, Irfan Ahmad, informed Rising Kashmir that they have been hand holding SHG members for generating livelihoods from farm activities.
He added that during the past couple of years more than 225 SHG members were given training on mushroom cultivation through convergence mode with other departments.
He narrated that after training many women set up their units at Chitragam, Harmain and other villages of Shopian. He added that KVK Shopian has been playing a significant role in promoting mushroom cultivation among SHG members of NRLM Shopian.
Dr Shabeer Ahmad, pathologist at KVK Shopian, revealed that in the past year around 20 mushroom units were established by women in different areas of the district.
This year the number is anticipated to increase owing to the number of training sessions conducted. The Pathologist said that KVK Shopian has a focus on creating four types of entrepreneurship for Mushroom.
He said that they have trained a girl in compost making which is used as a substratum for growing mushrooms.
He added that the girl has learnt the trade and is capable of preparing compost for other entrepreneurs to earn a decent livelihood. Dr Shabeer continued that another group of women has been trained solely for mushroom cultivation.
He said that a batch of graduates were trained for preparation of mushroom seeds. He said another group of women were trained for value addition through canning or pickle formation.
The scientist said that the women were sensitised how to widen scope of their value added products like mushroom pickles, mushroom candies, mushroom biscuits and various mushroom dishes by exploring online marketing services. “KVK Shopian is committed to help them in online marketing,” he said.
