Bihar woman turns Anantpur into Mushroom Village through cultivation
Anita Devi established a farmers' company that included nearly 250 women by December 2017, according to the Times of India.
Anita Devi began growing mushrooms in the Nalanda district of Bihar in 2010 to help her family's financial condition. According to the Times of India, Devi faced mockery from some villagers, particularly women, who taunted her for cultivating what is locally known as gobar chatta.
After receiving training at Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agriculture University in Samastipur and GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Uttarakhand, Devi expanded her work. Her village, Anantpur, was declared a 'Mushroom Village' by the Bihar agriculture department in 2012.
To provide structure for other women, Devi established the Madhopur Farmers Producers Company Limited in 2016. By December 2017, nearly 250 women had joined the company, many of whom were members of self-help groups under the Jeevika rural livelihood programme.
A 2025 Farmland Bazaar report stated the company has expanded its network to 512 farmers, with a target of reaching 1,500. The enterprise provides agricultural inputs like seeds, fertilisers and pesticides at affordable rates and connects farmers to online platforms and hotels.
In March 2025, Devi was one of six women given access to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's social media accounts on International Women's Day to share her story. Devi said she wanted to do something on her own and has helped hundreds of women become self-reliant.
Following the announcement of the Makhana Board, Devi said she is considering work related to makhana, or fox nuts, which is an important agricultural product in Bihar.