Craving That Changed a Life
Rama Kumari, a resident of Muzaffarpur, Bihar, had a simple craving for mushrooms which turned into a thriving business. After relocating from Pune during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Rama realized she couldn’t easily find mushrooms in smaller cities like hers. What began as a one-off experiment to grow mushrooms for her homecooked meals quickly spiraled into the creation of Tulsi Spawn Lab, a mushroom farming brand now generating ₹36 lakhs annually. Talk about turning small beginnings into big things! 🚀✨
How It All Began: A Mushroom Obsession
Rama’s journey started with a bowl of mushroom matar masala. While living in Pune, mushrooms were a staple in her household, loved by both her and her husband. But when they moved to Muzaffarpur during the pandemic, mushrooms weren’t readily available in local markets. This inconvenience sparked an idea: Why not grow them herself?
The First Experiment (2021): Rama began by purchasing one kilogram of oyster mushroom spawns for just ₹120. Using leftover wheat straw to prepare a basic compost, she created five mushroom bags in a small room at home.
The result? A bountiful 12-kilogram harvest. Her friends enjoyed some of it, while the rest was dried and preserved. Encouraged by her father-in-law, Rama decided to take her experiment to the next level.
From Experiment to Entrepreneur
After her initial success, Rama ventured into growing button mushrooms, which required more technical expertise. She reached out to Manorama Singh, an experienced mushroom grower in Bihar, for guidance. Here’s how her journey unfolded:
- Learning the Craft: Rama learned the intricacies of button mushroom cultivation, including making the perfect compost with manure, wheat straw, and gypsum.
- Investment: She spent ₹25,000 setting up a mushroom-growing room complete with racks and bamboo structures.
- The First Harvest: Using 22 kilograms of spawns, she prepared 100 bags and harvested 200 kilograms of button mushrooms. Selling at ₹200 per kilogram, Rama made her first major earning, ₹40,000.
While each season proved successful, sourcing spawns from a supplier located 70 kilometers away became a recurring hassle.
By 2022, Rama decided to level up by setting up her very own spawn lab.
Tulsi Spawn Lab: A Mushroom Powerhouse 🍄
With an investment of ₹16 lakhs, Rama and her husband set up Tulsi Spawn Lab, a spawn production unit to benefit other budding mushroom growers in Muzaffarpur. But the journey wasn’t without its challenges:
- Learning Curve: Though trained at PUSA University, Samastipur, practical execution came with its own set of hiccups. The lab faced contamination issues and temperature control failures for three months.
- Persistence: Through trial and error, Rama mastered the process, ensuring her spawn lab became fully operational by 2023.
- Lack of Resources: Starting with minimal infrastructure and zero prior experience, Rama had to self-learn through online resources and training sessions.
- Scientific Precision: Mushrooms, being a sensitive crop, require precise temperature, humidity, and hygiene conditions. It took months to get it right.
Despite these challenges, Rama persevered. Today, her efforts have not only boosted her income but also inspired countless others to enter the field of mushroom farming.
Today, Tulsi Spawn Lab serves three purposes.
- Selling fresh buttons, oysters, and milky mushrooms, with an output ranging from 250 to 500 kilograms per season.
- Producing and distributing 2 tons of mushroom spawns monthly.
- Offering hands-on mushroom farming training to students, housewives, and professionals eager to join the field.
To market their spawns, Rama and her husband even gave away one kilogram of spawns for free during the initial days. This community-friendly approach paid off, as word-of-mouth and social media inquiries now drive their growing customer base.
Revenue and Growth Highlights
Tulsi Spawn Lab has come a long way from its humble beginnings. Here are some key numbers:
- First Year Revenue (FY24): ₹12 lakhs.
- Current Revenue (FY25): ₹36 lakhs annually (₹3 lakhs/month). 📈💸
- Value-Added Products: Rama also sells mushroom powders, pickles, and mixes, adding another layer to her revenue streams.
Moreover, for her dedicated input in the agricultural sector, Rama Kumari was awarded the Progressive Farmer Award from Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
Looking Ahead: Big Plans for Tulsi Spawn Lab
What’s next for Rama Kumari and her mushroom empire? Here’s a glimpse of her future goals:
- Scaling Production: Increasing spawn and mushroom output to meet growing demand.
- Expanding Training Programs: Reaching more individuals, especially in rural areas, through vocational training.
- Community Impact: Creating sustainable income opportunities for local farmers and women entrepreneurs.
Rama hopes to position Tulsi Spawn Lab as a leading name in organic and sustainable farming. With her determination and a proven business model, the sky’s the limit. 🚀
