In the village of Bara Kachna in Jharkhand, India, Baidi Pahadin and her husband, Surja Pahariya, faced many challenges in securing a stable livelihood. As members of a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), they lived in an area where rocky terrain, water scarcity, and dependence on rain-fed agriculture made farming unpredictable.
With limited livelihood options and little access to agricultural knowledge, the family relied largely on irregular daily wage labor to meet their needs, leading them to experience financial insecurity throughout the year.
A new opportunity emerged through the Ultra Poor Graduation for PVTG in Jharkhand project, supported by Whole Planet Foundation and implemented by Trickle Up. Through coordination and support facilitated by the project team, the local Horticulture Department organized a five-day oyster mushroom cultivation training for Trickle Up’s savings group members, providing them with practical skills and introducing participants to a livelihood activity that could be managed from home.
With regular guidance and follow-up support from community coaches and the implementing team, Baidi decided to begin mushroom cultivation. After receiving the necessary materials, she started cultivating oyster mushrooms and applied the techniques she had learned during the training. Nutrition awareness sessions and practical demonstrations also helped her family understand both the nutritional and economic benefits of mushroom cultivation.
Reflecting on this change, Baidi says, “Earlier, we depended only on uncertain daily wage labor, but now I have learned a new way to earn an income from home.” Within just 50 days, Baidi successfully harvested mushrooms from 20 cultivation bags supported through the project.
After meeting the family’s consumption needs, Baidi sold nearly 46 pounds of surplus mushrooms in the local market, earning approximately INR 4,200 ($44 USD) in additional income. This new source of earnings has strengthened the family’s financial situation and demonstrated the potential of alternative livelihood activities, even in challenging environments.
The experience has also significantly increased Baidi’s confidence, and her success has inspired other women in the village to explore new livelihood opportunities and consider how small-scale agricultural enterprises can contribute to household income and well-being.
Looking back on her journey, Baidi says, “Even in difficult hilly regions, proper training and support can help families like ours create new livelihood opportunities and hope for a better future.” Her new livelihood source now represents a pathway to greater self-reliance, improved nutrition, and increased economic opportunity for her entire family, showing how support and practical training can help families build a more secure future.
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