Local Farmer Turns Mushroom Entrepreneur, Inspires Others Toward Self-Employment in Sepahijala District

Bishalgarh, Sepahijala District — Mr. Bikash Das, a progressive farmer from Gakulnagar Village under Bishalgarh Agri Subdivision, has emerged as a successful mushroom entrepreneur, inspiring several others in his community to take up self-employment through mushroom farming. Initially engaged in paddy cultivation and vegetable farming, Mr. Das faced challenges with low income and marketing difficulties. Determined to find a more profitable alternative, he explored mushroom cultivation after attending a specialized training program on mushroom spawn production at the State Horticulture Research Complex (SHRC), Nagicherra. He also received hands-on training from KVK Sepahijala District in collaboration with the Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan (Himachal Pradesh). Encouraged by the guidance of officials from the Agriculture Department of Bishalgarh Agri Subdivision, Mr. Das began small-scale oyster mushroom cultivation on his 0.56 ha of land. Starting with just 20–40 kg of mushrooms per month, he steadily scaled up his operations with support from ATMA Bishalgarh, College of Fisheries under CAU, and other organizations. Today, his production has increased to an impressive 350 kg per month, generating an approximate monthly income of ₹70,000. Beyond his own success, Mr. Das has become a beacon of inspiration for others. Six farmers from nearby villages have already started their own mushroom cultivation ventures after being motivated by his achievements. Moreover, he actively trains members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), enabling 7–8 of them to begin small-scale mushroom production and earn sustainable livelihoods. Mr. Das continues to innovate by adopting low-cost spawn production technologies and expanding into milky mushroom cultivation. Through indoor, controlled-environment systems, he ensures year-round mushroom availability, breaking the seasonal barrier typically seen between March–October. His journey from a small-scale farmer to a thriving entrepreneur showcases how scientific training, government support, and personal determination can transform rural livelihoods and promote sustainable self-employment. Mr. Bikash Das now stands as a role model for farmers across Tripura, proving that Mushroom Farming can be a profitable and inspiring path toward agricultural entrepreneurship.