This Odisha farmer’s journey from mushroom cultivation to prosperity is inspiring!

When several people in Odisha are not preferring agriculture as a reliable source of livelihood anymore, a youth in Rayagada district has proved them wrong by emerging as a successful mushroom farmer. 

Meet Bishikeshan Sahu from Khilamunda village under Padmapur block Rayagada district who has set an ardent example for the society on how to be self-reliant by choosing mushroom farming as a profession.

Earlier, Bishikeshan was doing vegetable farming. He developed interest in mushroom farming by watching a YouTube video. Subsequently, he visited the Horticulture Department and got training in mushroom farming there.

Bishikeshan has never looked back since then. Initially, he started mushroom farming in a small way and gradually grew. Now, he is producing 15 to 16 kg of mushroom per day from around 400 beds. Apart from earning his livelihood, the young farmer has also given employment to two persons in his farm.

“Earlier, I was doing paddy and vegetable cultivation. Then I consulted with the Horticulture Department and started mushroom cultivation. I use the wastage products from paddy cultivation in preparing beds for mushroom production. Now, I am so happy to get good income from mushroom farming. I have also given employment to two persons in my farm. It gives me immense satisfaction,” said Bishikeshan.

Mushrooms produced by Bishikeshan have huge demand in the local market and he doesn’t face any kind of huddle in selling his produces. He is getting Rs 300 per one kg of mushroom.

“Earlier, we were not getting quality mushrooms from the local market. However, Bishikeshan is providing us quality products at a reasonable price. We are buying mushrooms from him on a regular basis,” said Subash Chandra Sahukar, a hotel owner.

Bishikeshan is hopeful that he will be able to undertake large scale mushroom farming in future with some help from the government.

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“Bishikeshan is a successful and emerging mushroom farmer. We had provided him a subsidy amount of Rs 40,000 under a scheme. We are so happy that he worked very hard and became successful,” said Jagannath Bindhani, Deputy Director of Gunupur Horticulture Department.