Imagine suffering from a disease that restricts neck movement, causes chronic inflammation, and leads to constant back pain. This story is about 45-year-old Manas Ranjan Das, who belongs to the Cuttack district of Odisha and is currently running a mushroom cultivation farm known as Ritanjali Mushroom Farm, named after his wife, Ritanjali Das.
Suffering from a disease known as Ankylosing Spondylitis, Manas wakes up at 4 AM every day to visit his farm, review the previous day's operations, inspect the produce, and plan the tasks.
"I have spondylitis. My neck cannot turn, and I cannot even stand straight. Doctors told me it cannot be cured, and I spent two to three lakh rupees on treatment, but nothing worked. Still, I had to continue. If you know how to farm, you find your own solutions and move forward," Manas tells Startup Pedia in an exclusive interview.
Beginning his journey as a marketer at a local Samsung shop selling home appliances and mobile phones, Manas today runs a mushroom farm. The farm, started in the year 2018–19, faced several challenges due to natural calamities and financial issues. However, with external support from senior scientists and leaders, Manas is now successfully cultivating mushrooms and distributing them in nearby regions.
Read more at StartupPedia
