*Growing Opportunity:SEVAI- DESWOS and the Rise of Oyster Mushroom Farming in Amoor*

Mushroom byproducts production 

Mushroom production process 

At the SEVAI Kalanjium Centre in Amoor, DESWOS is turning oyster mushroom cultivation into a practical pathway for income and skill-building among women farmers. Through hands-on training, women learn the full cycle of production — from preparing paddy straw substrate to spawning, bagging, incubation, and fruiting — handling each step themselves so they can replicate it at home with minimal investment. Because oyster mushrooms grow on agricultural waste and need little space, the method fits easily into small homesteads. After training, DESWOS supports women to start small production units, guiding them on spawn sourcing, quality control, and harvest timing to ensure a steady supply of fresh mushrooms within 25–30 days. To reduce waste and raise returns, the centre also trains women in processing byproducts such as mushroom soup mixes and mushroom cookies, creating nutritious, shelf-stable products that reach markets fresh mushrooms cannot. Through this training-to-production model, DESWOS at SEVAI Kalanjium Centre is building a low-input, high-return activity for women farmers in Amoor — transforming agricultural waste into food, income, and new skills that stay in the community.,🌿Govin🌿