Charaideo turns to mushrooms, moringa to fight malnutrition & boost rural incomes

Guwahati: Assam’s Charaideo district has launched initiatives to promote mushroom cultivation and moringa plantation as part of efforts to combat malnutrition and create livelihood opportunities for rural families.The district women and child development department, in collaboration with the district administration, has launched Mission Mushroom and Mission Moringa. The initiatives focus on improving nutrition among women and children while encouraging anganwadi workers and helpers, farmers and self-help groups to take up small-scale cultivation and income-generating activities.Mission Mushroom was launched during the ninth Rashtriya POSHAN Maah in Sept-Oct 2026, with technical support from Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sivasagar. It promotes mushroom consumption and cultivation, particularly in rural households where limited space and investment can restrict livelihood opportunities.Charaideo district commissioner Neha Yadav said mushroom cultivation offers an affordable way to improve household nutrition, as it requires little space and relatively low investment. “Mission Mushroom aims to empower women, particularly anganwadi workers and helpers, with mushroom cultivation skills to improve household nutrition, earn additional income through local sales and promote financial independence,” Yadav said.The district administration is conducting awareness campaigns to encourage families to include mushrooms in their regular diets. The district women and child development department, in collaboration with KVK, Sivasagar, is also holding practical training sessions on preparing growing materials, planting, watering, temperature management, hygiene, harvesting and storage.Alongside mushroom cultivation, Mission Moringa seeks to bring a nutrient-rich tree into everyday life. Titled “Moringa in every household, nutrition in every home”, the initiative aims to expand cultivation in residential compounds, agricultural fields, educational institutions, roadsides, community land and wastelands.Scientifically known as Moringa oleifera, it is a fast-growing and drought-resistant tree suited to Charaideo’s climatic conditions. Its leaves, flowers, pods and seeds have nutritional and commercial value.The mission aims to improve dietary diversity, particularly among children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, by encouraging the regular consumption of moringa. It also seeks to create income opportunities through the sale of fresh leaves, tender pods, seeds, seedlings and processed products such as moringa powder and leaf tea.“SHGs are being encouraged to establish small-scale processing units to produce value-added products, promoting women’s entrepreneurship and rural livelihoods,” said Leena Pawe, additional district commissioner (social welfare).You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Guwahati | Silver Rate in Guwahati | Bank Holidays in Guwahati | Public Holidays in Guwahati | Guwahati AQI | Weather in Guwahati | Petrol Price in Guwahati | Diesel Price in Guwahati | CNG Price in Guwahati | LPG Price in GuwahatiStay updated with the latest Guwahati news. Download the TOI App.