Client: NUVOCO Pvt. Ltd. With FICCI Aditya Birla CSR Centre for Excellence, New Delhi

Green India Consultancy (GIC) conducted an assessment and scoping study of the SAMRIDHI mushroom cultivation initiative in Bankura District, West Bengal, assessing its potential as a sustainable livelihood and women’s economic empowerment model. The study examined the project’s implementation, beneficiary livelihoods, mushroom production, SHG formation, capacity building, market linkages, and key gaps, and assessed the feasibility of developing a scalable and sustainable business model. The assessment found that mushroom cultivation had improved women’s contribution to household income, with women producers earning additional income and developing greater confidence and entrepreneurial skills. Based on the findings, GIC recommended strengthening technical support, expanding skills and mushroom varieties, developing market linkages, and establishing sustainable systems to scale the livelihood model.