{"id":589,"date":"2025-07-20T06:28:17","date_gmt":"2025-07-20T06:28:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yicatalogue.collectiveroutes.org\/?p=589"},"modified":"2025-07-21T08:59:46","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T08:59:46","slug":"muskan-mushroom-group-growing-mushrooms-in-bags-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yicatalogue.collectiveroutes.org\/?p=589","title":{"rendered":"Muskan Mushroom Group: Growing Mushrooms in Bags"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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The Problem and Motivation Behind<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMy income and my living conditions have really improved. Earlier, life was difficult, but this business has made a difference.\u201d<\/em> \u2013 Neeraj.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neeraj Kumar (22-year-old)  and his team grew up in a rural area of India where traditional farming depends heavily on the climate and changing seasons. Many young people in his community did have a stable income and had limited access to higher education, leaving them with few opportunities to earn a living. Neeraj himself had also faced financial struggles, which motivated him to explore business ideas that could work with limited resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Innovative Solution<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI was trained as a mushroom farmer and now I\u2019ve planted 200 bags of oyster and 200 bags of button mushrooms \u2026 We do it in bags. It takes about 20 to 25 days to harvest, and about one and a half to two months for a full cycle. I\u2019m now earning 15,000 to 20,000 Rupees (about $230) per month from mushroom farming.\u201d \u2013 Neeraj<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Neeraj and his team joined the Youth Innovation and Action Lab (YIAL), they explored different business ideas to develop with their limited resources.  With support and guidance from the Lab mentors, they found out that mushroom cultivation can be an innovative solution\u2014it requires very little land, involves low investment, and offers good returns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Through practical experimentation, they learnt the best techniques for growing oyster and button mushrooms using locally available materials. They then developed a low-cost, space-efficient mushroom cultivation system using grow bags, making it possible to farm even without owning agricultural land. It takes about 20\u201325 days to start seeing results, and around 1.5 to 2 months for a full harvest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They began on a small scale, with just 200 bags of two mushroom varieties. By carefully monitoring environmental conditions, adjusting their methods based on the weather, and learning how to time their harvests efficiently, they steadily improved the quality and yield of their produce. As their confidence grew, so did their customer base. They sold mushrooms in local markets and directly to customers, keeping costs low and turning a profit quickly. Today, Neeraj and his team members earn between 15,000 to 20,000 Rupees (about $230)<\/em> each month from mushroom cultivation.
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Lessons Learned and Addressing Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis income has really benefited me… We\u2019ve learnt that agriculture doesn\u2019t have to be traditional. It can be smart.\u201d \u2013 Neeraj<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Youth-led Innovation Action Lab supported Neeraj and his team by providing training and mentorship that introduced them to improved methods of mushroom cultivation. The support went beyond farming techniques\u2014it also covered financial planning, record-keeping, and how to respond to changing market demands, helping them build a sustainable and well-organised business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on their experience, Neeraj identified a lesson learned:<\/p>\n\n\n\n