Women, mainly homemakers, in the high ranges in Kerala are making good money by growing mushrooms at a low cost and less space. As per the statistics available in the neighbourhood groups of various panchayats in the high range, Upputhara Panchayat tops the list, with over 300 mushroom growers. Kattappana comes a close second with 250 and Rajakkad and Kanchaiyaar over 200. Biji from Labbakkada in Kanchiyaar panchayat, who was a homemaker six years ago, is a successful mushroom grower now. “I am financially independent as I earn a pretty good sum from mushroom farming, which began in a small space inside the house. Now, it has expanded to a shed with the assistance of Krishi Bhavan,” said Biji.