Alpana Khatun and Shilpi Khatun. We think about each other. Both husbands live abroad. He bought two smartphones to talk to them. They learned the method of mushroom cultivation through that phone and now they are successful entrepreneurs.
Initially, the local people were indifferent to the matter, but now many people are showing interest in mushroom cultivation. They are earning 90 thousand rupees per month by cultivating mushrooms at home on a small scale.
A resident of Nagpara village of Bagmara upazila of Rajshahi. Recently, they came to share their success stories at the agriculture and technology fair organized at Bhabaniganj Shishupark square under the initiative of Upazila Agriculture Office. Exchange farming experience. Also got prize with mushroom stall.
Talked with two entrepreneurs in the fair premises. During the conversation, he said that two years ago, they started mushroom cultivation in their mud house. He collected the necessary materials from Bogra. Mastered farming methods by watching YouTube videos. For this, he first took the family’s permission. Later they also encouraged in this regard. He didn’t stop after that. By choosing a mud house next to the living room, you first create a suitable humidity and favorable environment for the house. 350 mushrooms are cultivated in cylinders (packets) there.
Alpana Khatun told Prothom Alo that mushrooms are ready for sale within 30 to 34 days. It is picked and dried within 25 to 27 days of cultivation. Within a week they were sold. Raw 300 and dry 2000 taka per kg are sold. They have certain customers to whom they deliver dried mushrooms.
According to the information given by the two entrepreneurs, it costs 14 to 15 thousand taka to make mushrooms suitable for sale. Sold for 1 lakh 5 thousand taka. Apart from running the household expenses with the income, they are also bearing the education expenses of themselves and their children. Now due to high temperature, it is difficult to cultivate. Cultivation has to be stopped for three months of the year in summer. At this time cultivation cannot be done as the humidity is not suitable. Monsoon and winter are suitable for mushroom cultivation.
Alpana Khatun said, family members cooperate in mushroom cultivation. His nonad artist business partner. They farm together. Enjoy the benefits equally. Through this they have become self-reliant. They do not have to rely on their husband’s money. This is how you can earn from home, never thought before.
Artist Khatun commented that they are now entrepreneurs after growing mushrooms as a hobby. He said, they have no training. For this the production is a little less. A 2.5 kg cylinder holds a maximum of one kg of mushrooms. Maybe it would increase if you get training. Upazila Agriculture Office gives advice as well as inquires. They want other women like them to come forward in mushroom cultivation.
Upazila Agriculture Officer Abdur Razzak said that Alpana and Shilpi are the first and only mushroom growers of Bagmara. He said, Nanad-Bhabhi’s initiative is exceptional and exemplary. They are the first mushroom growers of Bagmara. He thinks that others will come forward after seeing them.
Assistant Agriculture Officer Nurul Islam said, ‘In the beginning, the people of the village used to make fun of the two women because they were making frog umbrellas. Now many are showing interest.’