Uttarakhand Stories

The Success Story of Divya Rawat- The Queen of Mushroom Farming

by Pragati Chauhan
Sep 30, 2016

If you have been following eUttarakhand.com then you must have come across an article about ‘The Mushroom Woman of Uttarakhand’ Yes! I am talking about Hiresha Verma. But this time, there’s another young achiever of Uttarakhand who has proved her metal in mushroom farming and its none other than Divya Rawat. This young girl has become the talk of the town and has been praised by CM Harish Rawat for her commendable work. Not just this, to add a feather in her cap, the State Government has felicitated her with the Sanjivini Rattan award for Agri-entrepreneur.

Divya’s life story-

Divya who hails from a tiny village of Chamoli, Uttarakhand has become the headlines of several tabloids and top notch websites who have written full-fledged articles praising Divya’s work in mushroom farming. But do you know behind all this name and fame there is an unheard story that nobody talks about? Divya has become a role model for all the youngsters who want to do something for the state and develop opportunities for its people. But her journey so far hasn’t been easy as she lost her father at the young age of 7. Having seen many ups and downs in her life, Divya not only completed her graduation from a prestigious college but was able to grab some handsome job offers from highly revered MNC’s, but her love for the locals and the penchant for the hills persuaded her to leave the lucrative job and move to Delhi for pursuing Masters in Social Work. By the time she received her post-graduation degree, she had dreams of soaring high and giving wings to the dreams of other people. Divya’s aim was to indulge in farming and being an advocate for Women Empowerment she wanted to uplift the women of the entire region. With little or no cash in hand, she came to Dehradun for learning about Mushroom business and finally started mushroom farming.

Divya’s journey from Rags to Riches-

Having no family or friend support Divya went on a solo journey to flourish Mushroom farming in the state. Since nobody believed in her vision, she was constantly advised to return back to the corporate world as she may get nothing out of it. Initially, she started the business with a small investment of a few lakh rupees. Shaking the dirt off her shoulders, Divya followed her vision and prove everybody wrong as she not only tasted success but was able to give employment to many needy families. Now she proudly boasts about her quality mushrooms that she grows at Motherawala (Dehradun) and Chamoli. In an interview, Divya said, “Our output is 80 kg to 90 kg of button mushrooms per day and we want to explore newer varieties. Over the last one year, we have started cultivating milky mushroom (paalkoon), which grows the year round, and oyster mushroom (chippi koon), which is a seasonal crop and has many takers. These varieties are known for their delectable taste”. She further added, “In the aftermath of the 2013 disaster, I found several houses had been abandoned. I decided to use them to cultivate mushrooms”.

How Mushroom farming can help the rural farmers?

Being a cash crop, mushrooms are sold at higher prices than other crops. It can be grown in the terrains and have great demand in India as well as abroad. They are used in several expensive dishes and can be grown throughout the year in any type of weather. Mushrooms do not need much care and can be cultivated indoors in a relatively smaller area. In India, growing mushroom is super easy still, there are fewer farmers who grow such crops which means there is a huge demand and supply gap. Since mushroom farming does not require huge capital, one can start cultivating mushrooms in less than Rs 100, which will not be harsh on the pockets of the poor farmers.

Pragati Chauhan

A writer by profession, thinker by choice and a nature lover since birth. I have always loved expressing myself through words, I believe words have a certain kind of melody which can be understood by anybody.

31 Responses


Arvind Autaday Says

We have some wild mashrooms grown in our farm .
We want to find out if it is edible.
If you can revert back with your contact.

Devendra (Dev) Desai Says

How can I get quote for importing mycelium of Oyster mushroom and milky white mushrooms?

deepak chawla mobil no. 8006008008 Says

Can I get ur contact no or address. I really want to do mashroom farming and intrested for training as well.

Neha sharma Says

Hi Divya ji can I get ur contact number or address and me n my husband are interested in mushroom farming in Mumbai also we r ready to take training from u

Sivaranjani Says

Hi mam I also very much interested in mushroom cultivation in my native pls guide me and give more knowledge.

Ritu yadav Says

Hi Divya Raway
Can I get ur contact no or address. I really want to do mashroom farming. I am intrested for training as well.

Naresh Rawat Says

I inspired to you and the congrats to your iniciative and best luck for future.Divya mam, I am also interested for mushroom farming in my village Bhanaj.pl help and guide me.

Inder Kumar kapoor Says

I want kiar zari or crodycep mushroom how to grow it
Please inform Inder Kumar Kapoor ikpk16@gmail.com or 9810290395

Ravi kant saini Says

Hi divya,

Can I get ur contact no or address. I really want to do mashroom farming. I am intrested for training as well.
Ravi kant saini
7011291922

Rahul Says

Wow..it is great work …and great opportunity of uttarakhand farmer and people..
It is really great work..

Ajeet singh Says

Hi.Divya mam this is Ajeet.
Madam I’m very much interested in mushroom farming in my village. Please guide me through my email id ajeetbisht11@gmail.com.

surendra singh rawat Says

hello divya bhuli
i am coming for training

surendra singh rawat Says

i am coming for mashroom training

Santosh Rawat Says

Congratulations Divya !!! Felt good after reading your success story. I wish you many more success in life and look forward to see your name in international tabloids.
Regards
Santosh Rawat (From Tehri – now in Mumbai)

Suresh Kumar Says

Divya ji plz sent full address of Masroom training centre Dehradun me khya per h

Ravi mohan sahai Says

Congrachulation divya gee
l also want to learn more about it. how can I get training?
Conttect number or address please
Reply

shashank singh Says

I also want to learn more about it.how can I get training? conttect no. or address please.

Manish singh Says

Hi… many cogrts divaya i saw yor interview on dd, i inspired by u n wish to get guidance on mushroom farming in up east

Sidhaarath Arya Says

Congratulations Divya,
I am very much interested in starting a Mushroom farm in my village I hoping to get some guidance. Please revert me back via email. It would be a pleasure working under your supervision.

ved paul Says

hi divya this is paul from gurgaon just seen your interview on dd very inspiring and read all the articles on net my age is 56 years and retired from the bank service now i want to do some creative work like musroom farming can u help me or some training session u give kinldy let me know by mail

uttam purushottam kadam Says

congratution mam
Please guide me how to maintain humidity in summer day.

sachin Says

congrats rawat mam…….
i also want details of mushroom cultivation……….
plz guide me..

Kaushal Says

Hi Divya

First i would like to congratulate to you. I also want details of mushroom cultivation. Kindly guide me.

regards

Pragati Chauhan Says

Sincerest thanks, do stay connected with us.

Bharat Rawat Says

I would like to congratulate both of you. Divya Rawat who did this great job and Pragati who is promoting her job by this fantastic article. Very inspirational article. Thank u very much.

Shailesh Says

You are great sister and great example too

Davinder Singh Uppal Says

Divya set an example for others.well done divya.

Pragati Chauhan Says

Thanks and good luck for that :)

Lostpsychic Says

Well done, Divya! and thank you Pragati for putting up this article here.
I hope to replicate more or less the similar thing but on an ecological front.
Peace!

Pragati Chauhan Says

We also wish the same sir :)

s.s.bisht Says

Thanks for such an inspiring article. Hats off to Divya. I wish many more Divas in the Devbhoomi.

Keep it up.

S.S. BISHT