MANOJ SINHA
Ramgarh, Feb 15: The Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) has undertaken a number of initiatives to provide farmers with sustainable livelihoods through education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities, community empowerment through agricultural development, market linkages and youth skill development.
Considering the natural vegetation of West Bokaro, TSF has integrated its pilot project ‘Swastik mushroom’ cultivation with self-help groups (SHGs) and individuals residing at Banji, Burughutu North Panchayat, Mandu Block to improve the quality of life of the local people.
Under the project, the TSF team has selected underprivileged SHGs and individuals, wherein 4 SHGs, Savera Mahila Samiti, Shakti Mahila Samiti, Sangam Mahila Samiti and Jagriti Mahila Samiti underwent various training programmes.
In the first season, 200 kg of oysters and milky mushrooms with a market value of Rs 200 per kg were produced using the new techniques. Participation in subsistence activities has also enhanced the farmer’s revenue.
Moreover, the successful completion of training has produced high-quality mushrooms and provided a comfortable source of income to 10 members of various SHGs. Archana Bharti and Aarti Devi from Banji have also taken the initiative to produce mushrooms for more income.
While sharing experiences, Archana Bharti, one of the members of the SHG said, “People used to mock her by saying that she was stepping into a loss-making business and wasting her time. She was also told to stay at home and take care of the family. However, she was unaffected by those comments and only looked forward to accomplishing what she had started. ”
Meanwhile, Aarti Devi, another member of the group stated, ” The stall set up by her in the ‘Annual Flower and Vegetable Show’ has helped her to learn a lot about the potential market of oysters and button mushrooms in the area. She also learned how to interact and build contacts with the buyers and create a customer base. She has developed a better understanding of financial management and teamwork.”
The group has been working for more than three years and now would like to increase productivity and focus on product branding and marketing. The small business has not only helped in establishing their social identities but has also inspired other women and self-help organisations to step up and start livelihood projects in the village.
The output is higher than in other places due to favourable weather conditions. The nutritional content of the mushrooms is very high and the quality is much higher than that of wild mushrooms. As a result, some farmers and self-help groups have expressed their interest in participating in mushroom cultivation initiatives as a sustainable source of income.
