Kupwara,May,22:In the remote village of Cheepora, nestled in the serene Lolab valley of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district, a young woman’s courage and resilience have sparked a silent revolution. Mubeena Ali, once confined to the household like many other village girls, is now affectionately known as the ‘Mushroom Girl’ of Kupwara — a title earned through years of perseverance, innovation, and an unyielding spirit.
Born to a modest family, Mubeena lost her father at the tender age of five. Life was far from easy. Alongside her mother and brother, she struggled through poverty, collecting firewood from nearby forests to make ends meet. The harsh realities of life forced her to leave her studies in Class 11, but adversity only fueled her determination to build a better future.
In 2022, a transformative opportunity arrived when Mubeena enrolled in a training programme organised by Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kupwara, under the aegis of SKUAST-Kashmir. The training aimed to empower rural women through organic farming initiatives — and for Mubeena, it marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
“I was fascinated by mushroom farming,” she recalls. “It was easy to grow, highly nutritious, and had a good market value. Yet hardly anyone in my area knew about it.” With limited resources, she started her first batch of mushrooms under an old cot at home. Despite facing ridicule and discouragement from her community, Mubeena stayed the course.
The turning point came when she participated in a 15-day advanced training at SKUAST-K Shalimar campus. Armed with knowledge and renewed confidence, she expanded her venture and began selling mushrooms in local markets. Her success soon silenced skeptics and inspired others, especially women in her village, to follow her lead.
In 2023-24-25, Mubeena’s work received official recognition at the Kisan Mela held at SKUAST-K, Srinagar. “I was overwhelmed when the Vice-Chancellor,Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, Director Extension,
Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth and other dignitaries visited my stall and appreciated my work,” she says.
Today, Mubeena not only cultivates mushrooms but also promotes organic vegetable farming, dry fruit production and vermicomposting. Her products, branded under the SKUAST-K-supported marketing tag ‘SHAHRAAR’, have earned her a loyal customer base and significant financial independence.
What began as a personal quest for survival and dignity has now blossomed into a mission. To date, Mubeena has trained over 10,000 women across Kupwara in mushroom and organic farming techniques. More than 1,500 of them have already embraced mushroom cultivation, transforming their households both economically and socially.
“Leaving my village for training wasn’t easy. People mocked me, called me crazy. But I believed in myself. Today, those same people bring their daughters to learn from me,” she shares with a smile.
Supporting her family of four, Mubeena now earns an impressive Rs. 29,000 per month from mushroom farming and another Rs. 50,000 from organic produce. She has even built a beautiful home for her family — a testament to what resilience and hard work can achieve.
When asked about marriage plans, she replies, “I don’t care about that right now. Independence is the most important gift a woman can give herself. When women are supported, we can turn the impossible into possible.”
Mubeena Ali’s story is not just about mushrooms or organic vegetables. It’s about breaking barriers, defying stereotypes, and redefining what rural Kashmiri women can achieve. She stands as a beacon of hope and empowerment, proving that with courage, opportunity, and hard work, even the humblest beginnings can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
Comment List