Guwahati: Banchung, a women self-help group (SHG) from Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district, and its success in mushroom cultivation is testimony to the yeoman work that the North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Society (NERCRMS) is doing in the region’s rural areas.
NERCRMS, under the Ministry of DoNER, started training the women of Banchung, which was formed in January 2016, in mushroom cultivation in the same year. All the 20 members belong to the Singpho tribe.
Between 2016 and 2020, the group received training in mushroom cultivation. The SHG also received Rs. 1.22 lakh in revolving fund for making pickles and weaving, besides mushroom cultivation.
Oyster mushroom is one of the most suitable fungal organisms for producing protein-rich food from various agricultural wastes without composting. Starting its production requires training and preparation.
In January 2020, the Banchung members started their venture with Rs. 7,000 that was invested in mushroom spawn, packaging plastic, rubber and pipe spray.
After two months, they started selling mushrooms at a wholesale price of Rs. 150-160/kg and occasionally at a retail price of Rs. 200. The group made a profit of Rs. 14,870.
The programme is helping many women in different states of the North East to earn livelihood.
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