17/12/2024
Jayachand Thota, from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, loved milky mushrooms and chose farming over his father’s transport business due to its unique taste and low investment. After earning a BSc in Agriculture, he trained at IIHR in Bengaluru, kickstarting his entrepreneurial journey. In 2005, he began mushroom farming with Rs 2,000, but his first two batches failed due to contamination. Undeterred, Jayachand apprenticed for two years with a relative in Vijayawada. Gaining experience in cultivation and marketing, he restarted his business in 2007 under the name Thanusri Mushrooms.
He set up a small shed at home, used paddy straw for growing, and mastered milky mushroom cultivation. His first harvest was ready in 31 days, with up to 10 more in the following month. Over time, Jayachand expanded, growing 70–100 kg of mushrooms daily, selling them at Rs 250–350 per kg. He learned to prepare spawns and set up his own lab with sterilization and incubation. Today, Jayachand earns Rs 25,000 daily (Rs 7.5 lakh monthly) from his farm, selling directly to customers and shipping orders.
He also produces 100 kg of spawns daily, supplying farmers and trainees. Besides his business, Jayachand has trained over 5,000 people in mushroom farming across India, Dubai, and South Africa. Basic training is free, while advanced courses cost Rs 3,000 with materials for starting a business.
