Dhubri woman leads the way in mushroom farming, inspires community

In the remote village of Jinkata Part-I on the Assam-West Bengal border in Dhubri, Tapasi Mandal has transformed a simple idea into a thriving livelihood. 
 

Through mushroom farming, she has not only achieved financial independence but has also become a source of inspiration for many in her community.
 

Mandal, who has been engaged in mushroom farming for nearly two years, received a financial boost in 2024 through the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme. 
 

With her achievements, Tapasi Mandal has become a beacon of hope for many women striving for financial independence and social progress in rural Assam.
 

The Rs 2 lakh loan enabled her to expand her production, and she now cultivates around 20-25 kilograms of mushrooms regularly. 
 

Fresh mushrooms from her farm are sold at rupees two hundred per kilogram, while dried mushrooms fetch rupees two hundred fifty per kilogram. Due to their increasing demand, her business is steadily growing.

Apart from mushroom farming, Mandal has diversified into producing a variety of food items, including sweets, pickles, biscuits, bhujia, and nimki. The products are made from her farm’s mushrooms and have gained immense popularity among consumers. 

To refine her skills, she underwent training in mushroom cultivation at The University of Kokrajhar with the help of Art of Living Institute in Bagribari, BTR.

Taking her entrepreneurial journey a step further, Mandal has also established the Shyam Kanu Self Help Group along with 12 other women from the village. 

Under the leadership of Lipika Barman, the president of the group, they have been actively engaged in food production and various social initiatives, significantly contributing to women’s empowerment in the village.

Mandal’s venture has received widespread appreciation beyond Jinkata, reaching areas like Halakura and Golakganj. 

Speaking about her journey, she credited the government’s focus on women’s development as a major motivation, emphasising that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives have encouraged women to take up entrepreneurial ventures with confidence.