Page 25 - NIS English 01-15 March 2022

Cover Story
Women Power

BINA DEVI

BECAME 'MUSHROOM LADY'

BY GROWING MUSHROOMS

UNDER THE BED

n an agriculture-centric country like India the presence
Iof women in this sector is not very significant. But Protection of Women
women like Bina Devi of Munger have become a
name to reckon with due to her ingenious mind. She
cultivated mushrooms under her bed and now has
become famous all over the country. But this journey
was not easy. Bina Devi neither had any land nor field More than 54 lakh
for mushroom cultivation. But she did not lose courage women have been
and started cultivating it by sowing a kilo of mushroom assisted through
seeds under the bed on which she used to sleep. To helpline
One nation, one
cultivate mushrooms, Bina Devi first surrounded her emergency number 181
bed with a sari from all sides. When this method of
cultivation reached the people, the team of agricultural 112 launched, till December 24,
university immediately reached her house and the operational in 35 2021.
pictures and videos of her innovation became viral to states and union
the outside world. With her tireless efforts, Bina Devi territories.
has aroused interest in mushroom cultivation in 105
villages within five blocks of Munger, due to which the for many years. Due to the indomitable spirit of Veena
livelihood of 1500 families has improved significantly. Devi, today a special trend is being seen among the
Along with mushroom cultivation, Bina Devi has been rural women towards milk and goat rearing. This story
teaching farmers how to do organic farming, compost of Bina Devi was shared by PM Narendra Modi himself
production, and preparation of organic insecticides through his Twitter handle.

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