Haryana farmer grows mushrooms in huts; clocks Rs 2.25 crore annual turnover

While growing up in Salemgarh Village in Hisar, Haryana, Vikash Verma closely observed the lives of farmers. His grandfather and father cultivated wheat, cotton and pearl millet (bajra) over five acres and yet, the family struggled financially.

“The income was unstable and at one point, my family was on the verge of selling the land to make ends meet. I decided to learn about modern farming options instead of pursuing traditional farming,” Vikash tells 30Stades.

In 2016, after his class 12th examination, Vikash began researching the utilization of farm waste like wheat straw and chicken manure to generate additional income for his family. “That’s when I came across mushroom farming, which converts these two wastes into gold,” says the 26-year-old entrepreneur.

He underwent a week-long training at HAIC Mushroom and Agricultural Development Centre in Murthal. “I also met farmers and learned about practical aspects of cultivation and marketing of mushrooms,” he says.

From farmer to entrepreneur

Mushroom farming can be done throughout the year using air conditioners or in winter using thatched houses or huts. 

“Since the investment for an AC unit was Rs2 crore, I decided to use bamboo, paddy straw and polythene sheets to make two thatched huts for mushroom farming,” he says. 

However, Vikash did not get the compost composition right and incurred losses in the first attempt. He learned from his mistakes and decided to rectify them next year.

In 2017, Vikash prepared two huts, each 40 ft by 100 ft. They could accommodate 8,000 mushroom bags (which require 800 quintals of compost -- the substrate to which mushroom seeds are added). 

He borrowed money and invested Rs 12 lakh in the large huts, compost, mushroom spawn (seeds), and labour and harvested 20,000 kg of mushroom in that cycle. 

“I sold all the production at the Hisar Mandi (wholesale market) at rates varying between Rs90 and Rs150 per kg, averaging Rs120,” he says.

The revenue was Rs24 lakh in 2017 and he also recovered the losses he incurred in 2016. “I then started expanding every year,” he says.

In 2018, the yield increased from 2.5 kg per bag to 3 kg by improving the compost quality and casing. “However, since I could not use the huts after winter when button mushroom harvesting ends, we decided to start oyster mushroom cultivation as it can be grown in warmer temperatures,” Vikash says.

Thatched huts Vs. AC units for mushroom farming

Cultivation in huts is cheaper because the structures are made using easily available bamboo, eucalyptus poles, wheat straw, etc., and do not require expensive PUF panels and air conditioners. Farmers don’t have to incur recurring electricity expenses for using ACs.  

The disadvantage of not having year-long mushroom production in huts can be partly overcome by cultivating button variety in winter (harvesting from November to March) and oyster variety in summer (harvesting from April till June-July).

Oyster mushrooms can grow well in temperatures ranging from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius, making them suitable for cultivation in thatched huts as they remain cool during summer.

Also Read: Five mushroom farmers who started with Rs1000 investment and now clock lakhs in turnover

“In August-September, we prepare compost for button mushrooms using wheat straw, gypsum, chicken manure etc. The compost is filled in bags and the spawn is added by November. The button mushroom harvesting starts in January and ends by March,” Vikash explains.

“After this, we plant the oyster mushroom in March end and start harvesting in April. It continues to give yields till June-July,” he adds.

Today, Vikash has 18 sheds, each 50ft X 100 ft, spread over 3.5 acres.  His company Vedanta Mushroom Pvt Ltd produces 1500 quintals (1.5 lakh kg) of button mushroom and 1000 quintals (1 lakh kg) of oyster mushroom annually. 

“We sell the button mushroom in mandi in bags of 15 kg each to wholesalers. The turnover is Rs 1.25 crore and the profit is around Rs75 lakh from button mushroom. For oyster mushroom, the turnover is Rs 1 crore, with a profit of Rs 50lakh,” he says.

This results in an annual turnover of Rs2.25 crore and a profit of Rs1.25 crore.

Also Read: Maharashtra professor turns mushroom entrepreneur; clocks Rs4 lakh monthly turnover

Unique marketing strategy

Vikash’s marketing strategy for oyster mushrooms is interesting. When his production increased, buyers started squeezing him to sell at a lower rate.

“Instead of coming under pressure to sell fresh, I decided to dry the oyster mushrooms. I now give the dried mushrooms to some pharma companies to extract protein from them. I then sell this protein to exporters,” he says.

The exporters buy oyster mushroom protein from Vikash at Rs 11,000 to Rs 12,000 per kg and sell it in the US, Canada, and Europe. 

One kg of oyster protein is extracted from 5 kg of dry mushroom (which is obtained from 50 kg of fresh mushroom). 

“Instead of selling 50 kg fresh oyster mushroom at Rs 4500 (Rs 80 to 90 per kg), I make Rs 12,000 from the same quantity by selling the protein powder,” he says.

For Vikash, it’s not only about making profits. He also provides free training to farmers about mushroom farming. He has trained 65,000 people from across India so far and continues to do so even today.

(Riya Singh is a Ranchi-based journalist who writes on environment, farming, sustainability, startups, & women empowerment).

Also Read: How this Haryana professor clocks Rs12 lakh monthly turnover from mushroom farming

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