UP Govt Initiative Helps Rural Women Earn Up To ₹10 Lakh Through Mushroom Farming
UP government-backed mushroom farming helps rural women earn up to ₹10 lakh annually.
The Uttar Pradesh government’s push to promote alternative agriculture and women-led entrepreneurship is reshaping rural livelihoods, with mushroom farming emerging as a high-income opportunity for women in several districts of the state. Under various livelihood schemes, rural women are increasingly adopting mushroom cultivation as a sustainable source of income.
A prominent example is that of Pappu Devi from Bhadohi district, who has successfully transitioned from traditional crop farming to mushroom production. According to reports, she now earns between ₹8 lakh and ₹10 lakh annually through her enterprise, marking a significant improvement in her family’s financial condition.
Her journey began with support from the Uttar Pradesh State Rural Livelihood Mission (UPSRLM), a government initiative aimed at promoting self-employment and financial independence among rural women. With an initial investment of around ₹2.5 lakh from personal savings and a small loan of ₹50,000, she started mushroom cultivation on a limited scale before gradually expanding into a profitable business.
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Training and technical assistance provided through development agencies and the livelihood mission played a key role in her success. Officials said structured guidance in cultivation methods, along with financial support, enabled her to adopt a non-traditional agricultural model that yields higher returns compared to conventional farming practices in the region.
Beyond her personal success, Pappu Devi has also contributed to local employment generation by involving other women in her village in various stages of mushroom production, including cultivation, packaging, and marketing. Her initiative has strengthened the role of self-help groups and encouraged other rural women to explore similar income-generating activities.
Officials from the state government said such success stories reflect a broader effort under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to diversify agriculture, improve rural incomes, and promote women’s economic empowerment. Mushroom farming, in particular, is being encouraged as a low-investment, high-return venture, helping transform rural economies and foster greater financial self-reliance among women in Uttar Pradesh.
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