Baramulla, Mar 8: Nazish Rashid’s journey from a postgraduate pondering the dividends of education to a celebrated agri-entrepreneur has become a source of inspiration for women across the Kashmir Valley.
Unfazed by the saturation of government jobs, Nazish embarked on an unconventional path after attending agriculture workshops in Baramulla, setting her sights on becoming a leader in the agricultural sector.
Hailing from Frasthar village of Baramulla, Nazish, In 2018, founded the ‘Lotus Self Help Group,’ a collective of ten determined young women from her village. Her commitment and entrepreneurial spirit did not go unnoticed, and on International Women’s Day, she was honoured at the University of Kashmir convocation by the Chief Justice for her outstanding achievements in the agriculture sector.
She was also hailed by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha in the ‘Awam Ki Awaz’ program and described her a role model for aspiring agri-entrepreneurs.
The turning point in Nazish’s journey came in 2021 when she decided to venture into indoor agriculture and established a mushroom cultivation unit in a modest 10 by 12 room. With unwavering support from the Department of Agriculture Baramulla, she received a 100% subsidy, marking the beginning of a transformative period.
In the inaugural season, Nazish earned an impressive Rs 17,000 from her first crop, proving that small-scale initiatives could yield significant economic benefits. Grateful for the department’s support, Nazish expanded her mushroom cultivation, witnessing a substantial increase in her earnings.
“The assistance from the Department of Agriculture Baramulla was tremendous. It gave me the boost I needed, and now I cultivate mushrooms on a large scale,” said Nazish. “My earnings are substantial, enough not only to sustain my life but also to provide jobs to others,” she added with pride.
Nazish’s success triggered a wave of motivation among over 50 girls in the area, prompting them to start mushroom cultivation in their village. Frasthar, once an ordinary village, is now fondly referred to as the ‘Mushroom Village’ of Baramulla district.
Shahzada, another enterprising mushroom cultivator from the village, attested to Nazish’s influence. “We took inspiration from Nazish. She’s our role model, proving that women can achieve success in any field,” Shahzada remarked.
Nazish’s aspirations did not end with mushroom cultivation. Recognising the agricultural sector as the backbone of the economy, she acquired essential equipment such as tractors, weeders, and brush cutters. The group members, breaking new ground in Kashmir, not only use these tools for their agricultural activities but also rent them out, further contributing to their economic growth.
“After obtaining these major agricultural equipment and renting them out, we have added significantly to our economy. We are perhaps the only group of women entrepreneurs in Kashmir offering equipment like tractors and tools on rent to farmers,” Nazish expressed with satisfaction.
Nazish Rashid’s remarkable journey shows the empowerment of women in rural Kashmir. Her success has not only transformed her own life but has sparked a mushroom revolution, especially in her village.