Raju Bhajani, a 40-year-old farmer and entrepreneur from the Nilakh Tarani Pather area in Dhemaji District, Assam, has carved a remarkable path in the world of agriculture. With 14 years of farming experience, he has spent the last six years specializing in mushroom and poultry production, creating a sustainable livelihood for himself and his family. Managing a 6-bigha farm, Raju's dedication to his work and innovative approach to farming have made him a trailblazer in his community.
Raju has been cultivating mushrooms for the past six years, primarily working with Oyster mushrooms. He has accommodated a total of 4,000 cylinders (mushroom bags) in his 40 x 20 square feet room, from which he harvests at least 10kg of oysters per day. He mentioned that the current price of mushrooms in his area is Rs. 200 per kg.
He has hired two workers for packaging, while he oversees the entire unit himself. Additionally, Raju has started a door-to-door delivery service for his customers. When asked about his business and profits, Raju proudly mentioned that he makes 80% profit after deducting the costs of spawn (mushroom seed) and labor.
"If I spend Rs. 100, my expense is Rs. 20, and I earn a profit of Rs. 80 from this business," Raju thoughtfully shared. He also plans to expand his mushroom unit in the coming years, as his profit margins are quite substantial.
Read more at Krishi Jagran