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Bihar woman turns village into ‘Mushroom Village’, empowers 250 women

By · Via Times of India · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Anita Devi trained at agricultural institutions in Bihar and Uttarakhand before establishing the Madhopur Farmers Producers Company Limited in 2016 to support rural growers. The collective provides affordable farming inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, while helping members sell produce without massive initial outlays. Her family achieved financial stability, enabling her husband to open a garment shop and her children to pursue higher education. Her work earned her national recognition when her story was featured on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's social media platforms in 2025.

Key points

  • The agricultural producer company broadened its grower network to 512 farmers with plans…: The agricultural producer company broadened its grower network to 512 farmers with plans to reach 1,500.
  • Participating rural women gained financial stability through Jeevika self-help groups and…: Participating rural women gained financial stability through Jeevika self-help groups and direct commercial market connections.
  • Devi was selected as one of six women featured on the prime minister's social media accou…: Devi was selected as one of six women featured on the prime minister's social media accounts for International Women's Day 2025.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

When

Anita Devi began growing mushrooms in Bihar's Nalanda district in 2010, not everyone understood what she was trying to do. Some villagers, particularly women, mocked her for cultivating what they locally called gobar chatta. They doubted that mushroom farming could improve her family's financial condition.

Devi, however, continued with the work. What started as an attempt to earn an income gradually became a source of livelihood for women in her village and neighbouring areas. By 2012, her village, Anantpur, had been declared a 'Mushroom Village' by the Bihar agriculture department. By December 2017, nearly 250 women had joined the farmers' company she had established to expand mushroom cultivation.

Today, Devi is popularly known as the 'Mushroom Lady of Bihar'. Her journey, which began with training and a small farming initiative, has also brought her into the national spotlight. In March 2025, she was among six women who were given access to

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's social media accounts on International Women's Day to share their stories.

From financial difficulties to mushroom farming

As reported by Scroll and various media…

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