Suman Sukhija started Cordyceps mushroom cultivation in a single room and built a Rs 30 lakh annual business. Now, she inspires others by providing training in this lucrative farming practice.
Suman Sukhija, hailing from Delhi, embarked on her journey of cultivating Cordyceps Militaris (caterpillar fungus) in a single room of her home, eventually establishing a business that generates an annual income of Rs 30 lakh. She started in 2018 with an investment of Rs 4 lakh in a 200 sq ft space, and today, this medicinal mushroom has become a significant source of profit. Thanks to the low initial investment and high market demand, Suman's business has flourished rapidly. She now also offers training to others interested in this unique farming venture.
Utilizing free time
After completing her household chores, Suman Sukhija often found herself with a lot of free time, which began to bother her. Wanting to make better use of her time, she decided to start a business.
She reached out to the Haryana Agro Industries Corporation (HAIC) Mushroom and Agricultural Development Center, where she learned the art of cultivating button mushrooms. It was during this training that she discovered Cordyceps Militaris, commonly known as caterpillar fungus, a type of medicinal mushroom.
What is Caterpillar Fungus?
Caterpillar fungus, scientifically known as Cordyceps Militaris, is a medicinal fungus typically found in the Himalayas. However, it can also be cultivated indoors or in a laboratory under the right conditions. With relatively low cultivation costs and high market demand, the potential for significant profits makes it an appealing venture. This lucrative opportunity is what drew Suman Sukhija to explore Cordyceps cultivation.
Started cultivation in a 200 sq ft room
Suman Sukhija began her Cordyceps cultivation journey in 2018, utilizing a 200 sq ft room as her lab. She initially invested Rs 4 lakh to set up the facility, sourcing the culture (vegetative part of the fungus) from Thailand to kickstart her venture. When her Cordyceps crop was ready for harvest, she sold it at an impressive rate of Rs 93 thousand per kilogram, showcasing the remarkable profit potential of this farming practice relative to her initial investment.
Cordyceps is rich in antioxidants
According to Suman, Cordyceps Militaris is packed with antioxidants and is effective in treating various health conditions, including kidney diseases, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, and autoimmune disorders. Notably, this medicinal mushroom boasts a long shelf life and requires minimal effort to cultivate. As a result, there is no urgency to sell the harvest immediately, allowing for greater flexibility in the business.
Success
Now, Suman Sukhija is dedicated to educating others about Cordyceps cultivation. Each month, she trains approximately 20-30 individuals, providing guidance on setting up their own labs. According to her, a minimum space of 100 sq ft is needed for this type of farming, and interested farmers can begin with an investment of around Rs 3 lakh.
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