In Anantpur village, Nalanda district, Bihar, one woman’s determination transformed mushroom cultivation into a livelihood opportunity. Anita Devi, popularly known as the Mushroom Lady of Bihar, began farming to support her struggling family. However, her efforts soon encouraged other rural women to explore agricultural entrepreneurship. In 2016, she established Madhopur Farmers Producer Company Limited. Her journey demonstrates how a small agricultural initiative can create opportunities for an entire community.
Anita Devi: From Financial Struggles to Mushroom Farming
Anita Devi belongs to Anantpur village in Chandi block, Nalanda district. Before entering mushroom cultivation, her family struggled financially. Her husband’s limited agricultural income could not comfortably support their household. Therefore, Anita wanted to find an independent source of income. In 2010, she approached the Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Harnaut, Nalanda, seeking livelihood opportunities. Officials introduced her to mushroom cultivation. Subsequently, she received training at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University in Samastipur and G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Uttarakhand. She also learned mushroom spawn production, which later became important to her enterprise.
However, introducing an unfamiliar farming activity in her village was challenging. Some villagers questioned her decision and discouraged her efforts. Nevertheless, Anita continued developing her skills and improving production. Gradually, mushroom cultivation started generating income for her family. Her success also demonstrated that women could pursue profitable agricultural activities without owning extensive farmland. Her experience encouraged other women to consider mushroom cultivation. What began as a personal effort gradually developed into a community initiative.
How Anita Devi Turned Anantpur into a Mushroom Village
As Anita’s cultivation gained attention, women from Anantpur approached her to understand the process. She shared her knowledge and encouraged them to begin growing mushrooms at home. Soon, women from neighbouring villages also became interested. In 2012, the Bihar government’s agriculture department recognised Anantpur as a Mushroom Village. This recognition followed the growing popularity of mushroom cultivation in the area. Locally, people began calling Anita Mushroom Mahila, meaning Mushroom Lady. Women mainly cultivated oyster and milky white mushrooms because these varieties suited local conditions.
Oyster mushrooms can also grow on agricultural waste, making cultivation more accessible. Consequently, women could use locally available materials instead of investing in extensive farmland. Moreover, mushroom farming offered flexibility. Women could manage production in available indoor spaces while handling household responsibilities. The September-to-March period was particularly suitable for cultivation in Nalanda, although some production continued during summer. Anita also encouraged women associated with JEEViKA, Bihar’s rural livelihoods programme, to participate through self-help groups. By organising women collectively, she helped create opportunities for learning, production and income generation.
Madhopur Farmers Producer Company and Its Growing Network
As participation increased, Anita recognised that individual growers needed better access to agricultural inputs and market support. Therefore, she established Madhopur Farmers Producer Company Limited in 2016. The company was incorporated on January 21, 2016, according to corporate registration records. The organisation brought together farmers and women involved in mushroom cultivation. It also supported agricultural activities by helping producers access essential inputs. During International Women’s Day celebrations in March 2025, Anita shared her entrepreneurial journey through Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s social media account. She explained that the company supplied fertilisers, seeds and pesticides at affordable prices.
Earlier reporting in December 2017 documented approximately 250 women associated with the company and its network. These women participated through self-help groups and independent mushroom-growing activities. Therefore, the reported livelihood opportunities should not be mistaken for hundreds of salaried company jobs. The initiative also extended beyond Anantpur. Women from neighbouring villages joined the growing network, creating opportunities to earn through agricultural production. Importantly, collective participation helped women access knowledge and resources that individual growers might struggle to obtain independently. The company thus became more than a business. It provided an organisational platform connecting rural producers with agricultural opportunities.
Mushroom Spawn Production and Recognition Beyond Bihar
As cultivation expanded, mushroom spawn availability became a major challenge. Anita initially purchased spawn from agricultural institutions. However, increasing demand made regular supplies difficult. To address this problem, she established a mushroom spawn production facility in Anantpur. She received assistance through the National Horticulture Mission, including a reported subsidy of approximately ₹15 lakh. The facility enabled her to produce spawn and supply it to growers, organisations and government agencies. A 2017 report documented daily sales of approximately 20–25 kilograms.
Additionally, Anita explored mushroom processing and value-added products. Mushroom pickles offered another way to use harvested produce and generate income. These activities helped her develop an enterprise involving cultivation, input supply and processing. Her work also attracted national attention. In March 2025, Anita shared her story through the Prime Minister’s social media account during International Women’s Day celebrations. Her journey highlighted the role of agricultural entrepreneurship in creating opportunities for rural women.
A separate NITI Aayog announcement in 2022 honoured an Anita Kumari associated with Madhopur Farmers Producer Company under its Women Transforming India Awards. However, the announcement uses a different name. Therefore, it should not automatically be treated as confirmation of an award received by Anita Devi without further identity verification.
The Wise Take
Anita Devi’s journey demonstrates how agricultural training and determination can create opportunities beyond one household. Mushroom cultivation offered her a practical livelihood option without requiring extensive farmland. Subsequently, she used her experience to encourage other women to explore the same activity. Her work also highlights the importance of agricultural organisations. Training alone cannot sustain an enterprise. Farmers need reliable inputs, technical knowledge, production facilities and access to markets. Madhopur Farmers Producer Company helped bring several of these elements together.
For rural women, such opportunities can strengthen financial independence and participation in household decisions. Moreover, collective farming initiatives can encourage knowledge-sharing and community development. The Mushroom Lady of Bihar did more than establish a successful cultivation activity. She helped create a network through which women could participate in agriculture as income earners and entrepreneurs. Her story shows how a modest beginning in one village can inspire wider economic participation.
Also read our other article on How Sonali Ghosh Became Kaziranga’s First Woman Field Director and Led Its Flood Rescues and Anti-Poaching Work
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