Impact of mushroom cultivation on socio-economic conditions of rural women of Patiala, Punjab

Twenty five women mushroom growers of Patiala district of Punjab were selected to study the impact of mushroom cultivation on their socio-economic conditions and the constraints faced by them. The study revealed that 72 per cent of women mushroom growers had improved their occupation followed by improvement in standard of living (64%), better saving (60%), knowledge and attitude (52%) and social status (24%). As perceived by the farm women, they faced the maximum constraints in value added items and minimum in lack of awareness in mushroom cultivation. Eighty eight per cent of the respondents stated that untimely supply of quality spawn and high cost of cultivation were the major constraints for successful mushroom entrepreneurship.