In the bustling heart of Bihar’s Bhagalpur district, a remarkable transformation story unfolds. Swarna Sandhya Bharti, affectionately known as the ‘Mushroom Lady,’ has turned her life around with the help of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP). What began as a modest dream has now blossomed into a thriving enterprise that inspires thousands.
Hailing from Khankitta village in Sabaour block, Swarna received a crucial loan of 10 lakh rupees under PMEGP. This financial boost enabled her to set up a state-of-the-art mushroom production unit right at her home. From button mushrooms to oyster varieties, her farm now produces a diverse range that meets local demand while generating sustainable income.
But Swarna’s impact goes far beyond her own success. She has trained nearly 5,000 women in mushroom cultivation techniques, empowering them to start their own ventures. These trainings, held regularly at her facility, cover everything from spawn preparation and substrate sterilization to harvesting and marketing strategies.
“This scheme changed my destiny,” Swarna shares passionately. Today, she supports her family’s needs, funds her children’s education, and stands as a beacon of self-reliance. Without PMEGP, life would have remained a daily struggle, she reflects.
Her story underscores the power of government initiatives in fostering entrepreneurship among rural women. As more women flock to her trainings, Swarna calls for continued support through such programs to uplift countless others. In Bhagalpur, the Mushroom Lady isn’t just growing fungi—she’s cultivating hope and independence.