Mushroom Farming and Rural Youth: Analyzing a Sustainable Livelihoods Framework

Title

Mushroom Farming and Rural Youth: Analyzing a Sustainable Livelihoods Framework

Creator

Malhotra, Himanshu; Kumar, Rajeev; Kiran, P.B Narendra

Description

We examine mushroom farming as an alternative livelihood for rural youth, utilizing the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) to assess its impact on economic resilience and rural development. A qualitative study was conducted in Uttarakhand, India, involving 20 participants aged 1835 who were engaged in mushroom cultivation. Data from semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically, revealing that rural youth are motivated by their hopes for financial independence and a growing interest in sustainable agriculture. Mushroom farming enhances human capital through skill development, cultivation, and business management, which in turn boosts self-esteem. The income they earn provides financial capital to support their families and reinvestment in their businesses. In addition to empowering marginalized groups, mushroom farming bolsters all five capitals of the SLF: human capital through skills and education; financial capital through income generation; natural capital via the use of agricultural waste and biological resources; physical capital through infrastructure and tools; and social capital through peer networks and community support. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2025.

Source

Human Ecology;

Date

01-01-2025

Publisher

Springer

Subject

Economic resilience; Entrepreneurship; India; Mushroom farming; Rural youth; Sustainable livelihoods framework; Uttarakhand

Coverage

Malhotra H., Doon University, Dehradun, India; Kumar R., Doon University, Dehradun, India; Kiran P.B.N., Christ University, Bengaluru, India

Rights

All Open Access; Bronze Open Access

Relation

ISSN: 3007839;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Article

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-025-00645-2

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105025699214?origin=resultslist