Meena Kushwaha made her identity through oyster mushroom farming: Mushroom Madam’s success story
Sometimes even the smallest things in life become the reason for great success. Such is the story of Meena Kushwaha of Vaishali district of Bihar, who made a new identity through oyster mushroom farming. Today the whole of Bihar knows her as ‘Mushroom Madam’. From a small beginning, Meena Kushwaha set a new example. Today she is not only making mushroom products, but is also training thousands of people. The most special thing about her is that she has awakened a new consciousness among women farmers by writing a song on mushrooms. Let’s know the story of this unique success.
Introduction of Meena Kushwaha
The name of Meena Kushwaha not only reflects her love and passion for mushrooms, but also expresses her hard work and dedication. Meena not only makes various types of products from oyster mushroom cultivation, but she has also trained thousands of people in the field of mushroom farming. Women especially participate in her training programs, which inspires them to become self-reliant.
Apart from this, Meena has also written many songs on mushrooms. These songs are not only a means of entertainment, but have also proved to be very helpful in motivating women farmers and spreading awareness. This effort of hers is an important step to bring change in the society and empower women. Meena’s story is an inspiration for all those who want to realize their dreams.
Start of Oyster Mushroom Farming
In 2013, Meena ji founded ‘Jeevan Jyoti Swayam Sahayata Samuh’, through which she gave priority to organizing women and their development. After this, she joined ATMA Vaishali, Nagar Parishad and KVK Hariharpur. At the behest of Nagar Parishad, she formed a group of 30 women and decided to take training in oyster mushroom cultivation.
Initially, there was no success, which also disappointed her a bit. But her hard work and dedication did not let her give up. After receiving special training from KVK Hariharpur, she improved the technique and her efforts started succeeding. Thus, Meena ji not only took her farming forward, but also became a source of inspiration for other women. Her journey teaches us that with hard work and right guidance, any challenge can be faced.
Example of successful farming with limited resources
Meena ji started oyster mushroom cultivation in her home in a space of only 6×8 feet. She started this new beginning by making proper use of her small space. In the first time itself, she got a production of mushrooms ranging from 500 grams to 1 kg. Seeing this, the departmental officials were also surprised and appreciated her hard work.
From a room where there was not even space to stand, she wrote a new story of success. This effort of Meena ji shows that with the right planning and hard work, any challenge can be faced, no matter how limited the resources are. Her story proves that big results can be achieved even from small beginnings.
Training given to Women
Meena ji started giving free training to women from remote areas of the district. She told the women about the importance of oyster mushroom cultivation and inspired them to join this business. She firmly believes that women can become self-reliant by working in this field.
During the training, Meena ji not only shared technical information but also gave confidence to the women. She told how they can achieve economic independence through mushroom cultivation. Thus, Meena ji not only empowered women in the agricultural sector but also showed them a new direction. With this initiative of hers, many women are not only bringing a change in their lives, but are also setting a positive example in the society.
Marketing and challenges
Initially, people were hesitant to buy mushrooms thinking they were fungi. But Meena ji did not give up. She set up stalls in various fairs and offered people dishes like tea, pakodas and litti made from mushrooms. With this effort of hers, people gradually started getting attracted to the taste and health benefits of mushrooms.
Once, Meena ji also sold mushrooms at the railway station. There, the policemen recognized her and allowed her to sell, which further boosted her morale. Thus, as a result of her efforts, people’s interest started increasing and her business started flourishing.
Mushroom Varieties and Production
Meena ji mainly cultivates oyster mushrooms, which are considered most suitable for small farmers. A total of four types of mushrooms are grown in Bihar: oyster, button, milky white, and straw mushrooms. Meena ji produces oyster mushroom at a cost of Rs 160 per kg and sells it at Rs 200 per kg.
Oyster Mushroom Cultivation MethodÂ
To cultivate oyster mushrooms, one kg of mushroom spawn and ten kg of straw are required. First, the straw is thoroughly washed and disinfected. Then it is kept in a vessel or pan. After treating the straw for insects and infections, the excess water is drained out. The straw is dried in a cool place.
After 24 hours, mushroom seeds are mixed in it and filled in polythene bags. Holes are made in the bags so that air can come in and out. This process is completed in 18-20 days, and mushrooms are ready in 3-5 days. Up to 50-60 kg of production can be obtained by this method. New farmers can also easily get at least 30-40 kg of mushrooms with this technique. This method of Meena ji shows that success in farming can be achieved with the right methods.
Provided Employment to women
Currently, 200 women are associated with Meena ji, who work in groups of 10-10. These women make cookies, pickles and various other products from mushrooms. When Meena ji started this work, many people used to make fun of her and did not take her ideas seriously. But today, the same people praise her and appreciate her for giving employment to women.
This change is not only the result of Meena ji’s hard work, but it is also a proof that efforts made in the right direction can bring positive change in the society. Meena ji has proved that when women work together, they can generate employment opportunities not only for themselves but also for others.
Got full support from family
Meena ji has got full support from her husband and family. Her family not only encouraged her, but also actively helped in taking the business forward. Meena ji believes that if society and family support women, then every woman can do something big and stand on her own feet. This support plays an important role in the success of women.
Future Plans
Meena ji’s future plan is to increase the quality and number of products made from mushrooms. Her goal is to make her products even better so that they remain competitive in the market. Also, she wants to expand her business from Bihar to Delhi. With this expansion, she will be able to provide employment opportunities to more people. Meena ji dreams that her hard work will not only improve the life of her family, but she will also be successful in bringing a positive change in the society. These ideas of her future have the potential to take not only her, but also her community to new heights.
Honours and Awards
Meena Kushwaha ji has received many awards for her special contribution in the field of mushrooms. She has received special honors in events like Bihar Diwas 2023, Sonpur Mela 2023, and Yashasvi Kisan Samman 2024 at Krishi Mela. Along with this, she was also awarded Mahila Samman in Mahashivratri 2020 and Matri Shakti Sammelan 2023.
The Agriculture Minister also gave her a National Award in Patna, where she helped significantly in empowering 10,000 farmers by giving them 2 days of training. All these honors show the hard work and dedication of Meena ji. They prove that when a person is conscious of his work, the society recognizes and respects his hard work. These awards of hers teach us that success can be achieved in any field with hard work and dedication.
Conclusion
Meena Kushwaha has today become an inspiration for women not only in Bihar but across the country. Her new identity as ‘Mushroom Madam’ is the story of a successful woman farmer, which is famous from Bihar to Delhi.
Her success story shows that with determination, hard work, and courage, any goal can be achieved. Meena ji has proved that when women work hard to fulfill their dreams, they can not only bring change in their lives but also set a new example in the society. Her efforts and achievements are a source of inspiration for everyone.
Contact details: If farmers want to share information or experiences related to farming with us, then they can do this by calling us on the phone number 9599273766 or by writing an email to [email protected] or by sending your recording. Through Kisan of India, we will convey your message to the people, because we believe that if the farmers are advanced then the country is happy.