Sundargarh: Mushroom farming and making vermicompost have changed lives. The women who were tilling farms as sharecroppers and labourers & digging ponds under MNREGA are making a decent earning with their efforts and dedication.
Where it was difficult to light the stove at home, today more than 50 families of Phuladhudi village in Lefripada block of Sundargarh district are living a good and prosperous life. Odisha Government’s policy for development of forest areas has changed the outlook of all these families.
These women from Phuladhudi have earned a name for self in mushroom farming and organic fertilisers which have become their primary and profitable occupation. Every family is earning more than Rs 3 lakh per year by doing this farming. Today, they have a self-sufficient and clean life.
It all started in 2017, when the then forest officer asked to get straw and seeds to cultivate the crop. At first three to four women showed interest and started cultivation. Training and technical support was provided by the local forest authorities by forming Forest Protection Committees.
With these women earning good money by farming, more women came forward. Today, as many as 50 women of the village are doing this work. After harvesting the straw, they used to trash it.
Today, straw is used to for making vermicompost, which has increased their income. These women farmers are making good money by selling vermicompost and mushroom locally, and neighbouring districts.
