Back in 2020, when everyone was dealing with the crazy challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, assistant professor Sonia Dahiya found herself at a bit of a turning point. She had this small idea that she thought could turn into something amazing. Enter the Doctor Dahiya Mushroom Farm by Sonia Dahiya, which not only produces mushrooms but also empowers women around her.
The Pandemic: The Beginning of Something New
While most people were stuck at home during the lockdown, Sonia saw a chance to dive into her dream: mushroom farming. At first, her family and friends were pretty doubtful—after all, they were used to the stability of teaching jobs and government positions. But she didn’t let their skepticism get to her; she kept pushing forward.
The Launch of Doctor Dahiya Mushroom Farm by Sonia
Dr. Sonia devoted countless hours to online research, immersing herself in academic papers until she successfully launched ‘Doctor Dahiya Mushroom Farm’. With an initial investment of Rs 40 lakh, she constructed two growing rooms and employed local workers, learning through a process of trial and error.
She grew button mushrooms in a high-tech, controlled environment, which lets them produce them all year long. Sonia’s background in biotechnology has helped to a great extent in implementing the process. It takes us about two months to get each batch ready.
Moreover, her mushroom farm is not just a farm but a blend of biotech skills with social empowerment.
Expanding the Roots
By 2022, she had really ramped up her operations with the addition of two more growing rooms, which let her produce around 10 tons of mushrooms every month. Fast forward to today, and her business is still booming!
The farm’s revenue is about Rs 9 lakh each month, with a nice net income of Rs 1 lakh. Moreover, her customer list just keeps growing, including local caterers and vendors at Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi.
Challenges and Solutions
Sonia’s journey has faced many challenges, like failed compost batches and power cuts that threatened her mushroom crops.
Low-quality compost
Initially, she faced challenges like irregular production cycles and inferior commercially available compost. Thus, she started seeking superior solutions. Acknowledging the necessity for greater control, she decided to create her own compost unit, significantly enhancing both efficiency and the quality of production.
WHY?
Little did we know, but compost is essential for growing crops, especially mushrooms. And a low-quality or drenched compost can ruin the entire batch, resulting in losses.
Eventually, Sonia decided to go local and started using locally available chicken manure, wheat bran, and paddy straw. With them, she successfully prepared the nutrient-rich compost at home.
Maintaining the correct environment
- Carbon dioxide and oxygen levels must be controlled effectively.
- For the initial 40 days of the vegetative phase, we keep the windows shut.
- Once the mushrooms start to emerge from the bags, they require oxygen. Then, windows should be opened for proper ventilation.
Temperature Control
During power cuts, the temperature rises to 30° C or more, which damages the crop. Considered ACs for the temperature maintenance, but they also failed in reversing the already damaged parts due to the rising temperature.
Adequately, a temperature between 23° and 25° C should be maintained for optimal growth.
The Journey to Becoming the Mushroom Lady of Haryana
Sonia is affectionately referred to as the ‘Mushroom Lady of Haryana’, as her initiative transcends mere commercial success. It is a mission to uplift women, especially those in dire need of opportunities.
It was during the pandemic when she realized that rural women with limited education were adversely affected without a job and any means of livelihood.
Thus, she realized her ultimate mission: to equip them with the skills and opportunities.
Society Giving Back
Juggling her responsibilities in a government job, Sonia depends on a dedicated team of 15 rural women to oversee the daily operations of the farm.
These responsible and hard-working women’s efforts have not only secured stable employment but have also significantly elevated their livelihoods.
As we all know, the daily wage worker earns Rs 100-250 per day, and sometimes, they have to go weeks without work. Moreover, the working conditions for daily workers are deteriorating often.
Sonia, with her initiative, is not only helping them with job opportunities but also with a healthy working environment, which uplifts their morale and encourages them to live their lives with dignity.
For numerous women at the farm, particularly widows and divorcees, the bonds of friendship are just as vital as their reliable incomes. Doctor Dahiya Mushroom Farm is not solely about business; it’s about providing hope and independence to those who need it the most.
