Deep in Bihar’s Bhagalpur, Swarna Sandhya Bharti’s nickname ‘Mushroom Lady’ echoes through villages. Her empowerment via the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) showcases the scheme’s real-world magic.
A resident of Khankitta in Sabaour block, Swarna secured a 10-lakh-rupee loan to build her mushroom farming infrastructure. Starting small, she scaled up production of premium mushrooms, ensuring quality from spawn to shelf. The venture now sustains her family comprehensively, freeing her from past financial woes.
Remarkably, she’s mentored 5,000-plus women, turning novices into skilled producers. Her curriculum includes advanced topics like climate-controlled chambers, nutritional profiling of substrates, and value-added products like dried mushrooms and pickles.
In a heartfelt interview, Swarna reveals, “PMEGP didn’t just give money—it gave me purpose.” She expresses gratitude to PM Modi and urges sustained funding for women-centric programs.
Swarna’s achievements spotlight PMEGP’s role in rural development. By fostering skill-sharing networks, she’s built a self-sustaining ecosystem where women trade knowledge and produce. Her vision: a Bihar where every woman stands tall on her own feet, mushrooms in hand.