How JKRLM schemes are creating new breed of women agripreneurs in Kashmir

Srinagar: Twenty-three-year-old Rumi Jan of Rohmoo, Pulwama has been running a boutique for many years to support her family.

Not only did she earn her livelihood, but she also trained over 3000 girls in tailoring to support their families.

 Now, she has forayed into the agriculture sector to tap the highly profitable industry.

 Last year, Rumi established her small unit through the Jammu and Kashmir Rural Livelihood Mission (JKRLM) scheme, which proved much more lucrative and improved her financial status.

 “Last year only I realized that our area lacked self-help groups that can set up units of mushroom. So, I volunteered and established a farm at my home,” she said.

 Rumi said she harvested three quintals of mushrooms last year despite being an amateur in the field.

 “I harvested more than 100 bags of mushrooms. It fetched me a good sum though the market was not good for the crop then. I marketed my crop myself,” she said.

 This year Rumi is planning to expand her farm and increase the production to over 300 bags. “I have already prepared for the same,” she said.

 Rumi’s mantra of success is being followed by many other fellow women in the district who also set up their mushroom cultivation units.

 “Now we have almost five units in the village. These units are also run by women and they also will have a good profit in this business,” she said.

 As per the agriculture department, mushroom cultivation is fast picking up in the valley with women mostly associated with this business.

 With the government’s 100% subsidy and technical know-how, Kashmir boasts hundreds of successful mushroom farming cases, making the activity even more lucrative for the growers.

 As per the department, over 150 women in Kashmir have set up their mushroom cultivation farms in the valley.

 Kulsum Majeed another agripreneur from Baramulla has followed Rumi’s footsteps and started mushroom cultivation to support her studies.

 The class XII pass-out is being helped by her mother to cultivate mushrooms and sell the produce in the local market

 Officials at JKRLM said that mushroom farming is fast becoming one of the potential areas of business among women.

 “In every district, we have almost 10-13 mushroom farming units owned by women. They get 100 per cent subsidy on the cost of the units and also get technical help from agriculture department,” Arsheed Ahmad District Programme Coordinator at JKRLM told The Kashmir Monitor.

 He said ‘low maintenance and good profit’  are the reasons behind more women getting attracted towards mushroom farming.

 “A farm can be set up at home and doesn’t require any special chemicals. Every woman gets 100 bags of the seed free of cost. Even their marketing facilities are also managed by the department. Mushroom fetches good sum to the women as a kilogram is sold at Rs 300 in the market,” Arshid said.  

 The mandate of JKRLM, Arshid said, is to encourage the women to create, enhance, and upscale their livelihood-generating activities with a special focus on farm-based livelihood activities.

 With the support from the allied departments as that of the agriculture department and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK), JKRLM has been providing training and skilling up women self-help groups on mushroom farming.