Mrs. M.Prasanna got married by just completing Intermediate education at the age of 18years

Success story of a widow towards Livelihood security through Mushroom Cultivation

1.     Situation analysis/Problem statement: Mrs. M.Prasanna got married by just completing Intermediate education at the age of 18years. She got married to a farmer in her native village only. Prasanna did graduation and learned computer courses after marriage with the encouragement of her husband. After completing education she got job in Challapalli on contract basis with a salary of Rs.6000/- month. Prasanna’s happiness doubled as she became pregnant after 8years of marriage in addition to job and happy family life. But her happiness did not stay long because she lost her husband all of sudden due to heart stroke when she was carrying baby. Due to this unexpected incident she was scattered but could build courage with the support of her parents and family. She gave birth to a baby boy and joined her duties after 3 months only thinking of her baby’s future. But daily taking care of her little child, going to job to Challapalli and returning home late evenings became a tough task in her life. Then one fine day she came to know about mushroom cultivation in the newspaper. Then she resigned her job and took risk in initiating a small Startup on Milky mushroom cultivation with the financial support of 4lakhs from family and DWACRA group together. In the initial stages the situation was a night mare because she could earn Rs. 5000/- only deducting expenses for cultivation.

2.     Plan, Implement and Support: In that typical situation she came to know about Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) on Mushroom Cultivation by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ghantasala with the financial assistance of ATMA, Vijayawada. She got knowledge on the infrastructure needed for setting up of a mushroom unit, cultivation aspects of mushrooms, nutritional and medicinal value of mushrooms, value addition and marketing of products through different linkages, diseases management and bank linkage for obtaining loans for establishment of units etc., in the training programme. During the training programme exposure visit to a well established Mushroom unit gave her hands on experience, imparted  knowledge on the availability of latest equipment for grass cutting, drying grass and gave insight about techniques for more production.

 3. Output:      Expenditure incurred for production of milky mushrooms per month

1.      Seed (spawn)(100-110/-kg)                     10000/- 

2.      Bavistin                                                      2000/-

3.      Formalin                                                     2000/-

4.      Covers, rubber bands                                   500/-

5.      Grass                                                           1000/-

6.      Ropes, soil                                                    500/-

7.      Labour payment                                          3000/-

8.      Miscellaneous (Current bill, others)           1000/-

Total                                                           20000/-

4. Outcome: Income from Mushroom Cultivation per month

1.      Mushroom production per day 5-8kg

2.      Mushroom production per month 200kg

1kg @200/-        200kgx200/- =Rs.40000/-

3.      Income after deducting expenses 40000-20000=Rs. 20000/- 

5. Impact: After attending training she could increase the production and earning 4times than the earlier income. Now she is very happy and conveyed her gratitude to Krishi  Vigyan Kendra, Ghantasala and ATARI, Hyderabad for getting skill and practical experience in the training programme.