In Kerala,mother-son team turned a small hobby into big business. Jithu and Leena Thomas now rake in over Rs 12 lakh monthly from their oyster mushroom venture,Leena's Mushroom Farm. What started small is now one of Kerala's top mushroom farms.
Jithu was just 19 when he began growing mushrooms with his mom. It was a pastime that quickly grew into a full-time job,churning out 150 to 200 kilos daily. Their farm now spreads over 5,000 square feet,with 20,000 mushroom beds producing nearly 4 tonnes of mushrooms each month .
Jithu says anyone can grow mushrooms with the right mindset. He advises newbies to keep it simple and focus on learning first, not profits. Understand basics for long-term gains, he insists.
For those starting out, Jithu's tips are straightforward. First, get quality mushroom spawn from trusted sources. Fresh, disease-free spawn is crucial. Bad spawn leads to contamination and poor yields.
Next, find a good space to grow. Clean, shaded,and well-ventilated areas work best — like balcony or spare room . Keep humidity in check and maintain cleanliness to avoid contamination.
Once bags are ready,monitor them closely. Look for healthy white mycelium growth. Remove any contaminated bags to stop mold from spreading.
Pick mushrooms when caps open but before edges curl. This timing gives best texture and flavor. Jithu tells beginners to treat initial months as learning time . Experiment,build confidence.
Oyster mushrooms are great for beginners. They grow fast,adapt well, and yield nicely in small spaces. Jithu warns against expecting quick money; patience is key.
Jithu's path shows persistence pays off. After a social work degree,he worked with an NGO while growing mushrooms on side. As demand rose,the family went full-time into farming.
Leena's Mushroom Farm now supplies fresh mushrooms to retailers,creates spawn,offers DIY kits,designs grow rooms, and trains new growers. It employs 15 people,mostly women, creating jobs locally .
Jithu's story shows that with little investment and willingness to learn, anyone can start growing oyster mushrooms at home.
