Dr Sonia Dahiya   

My Journey to Becoming the “Mushroom Lady of Haryana” My journey to becoming known as the “Mushroom Lady of Haryana” began in 2020 with a decision to step beyond the conventional path. As a Ph.D. holder and an academic professional, I had built my career around university life, teaching and knowledge. Yet, I chose to take my knowledge from the classroom to the field and transform it into practical action. Leaving the comfort and familiarity of a university career to become a field-based farmer and agricultural entrepreneur was not an easy decision, but I believed that real change begins when knowledge reaches the grassroots. I chose mushroom farming because I saw its potential to create a new model of agriculture—one based on science, technology, entrepreneurship and year-round production. I established a hi-tech mushroom production unit in a village and demonstrated that advanced farming can thrive in rural Haryana while creating meaningful employment opportunities. As my enterprise developed, my vision expanded from growing mushrooms to growing opportunities for people. I have created employment and livelihood opportunities for more than 50 rural women, giving them a pathway to participate in agricultural enterprise and earn through their skills. Their progress has been one of the most fulfilling outcomes of my journey. I have also worked extensively with farmers, students and aspiring entrepreneurs, and have trained more than 1,000 farmers and students through training programmes, practical demonstrations, consultancy and digital outreach. My efforts have encouraged educated youth, girls and women to look at farming differently—not as a fallback profession, but as a field where education, scientific knowledge and entrepreneurship can create meaningful careers. For me, becoming a farmer after earning a Ph.D. carries a deeper message: education should not distance us from the soil; it should empower us to transform it. I wanted young people, particularly educated girls and women, to see that there is no contradiction between being highly educated and being a farmer. Agriculture can be a profession of knowledge, leadership, innovation and dignity. Over time, my farm became more than a production unit. It became a learning space, employment centre and source of inspiration for farmers, women, students and young entrepreneurs. The recognition I received from distinguished authorities further strengthened my commitment to this mission. The title “Mushroom Lady of Haryana” therefore represents far more than mushroom cultivation. It represents my journey from Ph.D. scholar to field farmer, from educator to entrepreneur, and from individual success to creating opportunities for others. I believe a true trailblazer does not merely choose an unconventional path; she makes that path visible and achievable for those who follow. My journey is my message to the next generation: education can take you to the field, science can transform farming, and one determined woman can inspire an entire community.