Saurabh Bhavsar
Aditya Jadhav
Vivek Singh
Sanjay singh Rajpurohit
Sagar Singh Karki
Shivin Santu
Goa Institute of Management
Divya Singhal
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Quality Mushroom Farm is an innovative business that transforms agricultural waste, like wheat and paddy straw, into sustainable, chemical-free mushrooms. This solution not only addresses environmental issues such as pollution caused by waste burning but also provides farmers with an alternative, profitable crop. By adopting eco-friendly farming methods, the initiative contributes to a healthier environment while promoting sustainable agriculture, better waste management, and local economic growth.
Trupti Dhakate, a former microbiology professor and gold medallist in MSc. Botany from Nagpur University, founded Quality Mushroom Farm in 2018 to tackle two significant challenges—agricultural waste and the need for sustainable food production. With her scientific background, Trupti saw an opportunity to use agricultural by-products such as wheat and paddy straw, which are often discarded or burned, as a growing medium for mushrooms. By sterilizing the straw and enriching it with essential nutrients, she created an efficient system for cultivating mushrooms in a controlled environment, turning waste into high-value food.
The innovation addresses several critical issues, including environmental sustainability, food security, and economic empowerment. Trupti’s business encourages sustainable farming practices by training farmers to use organic methods and repurpose agricultural waste, which helps reduce carbon footprints and promote eco-friendly farming. Additionally, it creates job opportunities for women and local farmers, making the practice a catalyst for economic growth in rural areas. This innovative approach to food production helps tackle pollution, reduces reliance on chemical pesticides, and creates a more sustainable agricultural model that benefits both the environment and society.
Trupti’s business champions sustainability, transforming local mushroom farming into a thriving, eco-friendly brand.
Trupti’s inspiration for starting Quality Mushroom Farm stemmed from her personal experiences and deep concern for environmental issues, particularly the harmful practice of burning agricultural waste. “I thought, why not use this waste to grow something beneficial, like mushrooms? Not only would it reduce pollution, but it would also offer farmers a way to grow something nutritious,” she shares. Her academic background provided her with the research foundation, but it was her drive to make a tangible difference in society and the environment that truly fueled her innovation. She said
A key moment in her journey was when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. "Through research, I discovered that mushrooms could offer significant health benefits to those suffering from cancer, particularly breast and prostate cancer", shared Trupti. This inspired her to pursue mushroom farming with a deeper sense of purpose helping farmers grow nutritious food while also making a positive impact on public health and the environment. Her passion for natural farming and sustainable practices also played a crucial role in her decision to leave academia and start her own business.
In the short term, Quality Mushroom Farm has revolutionized how farmers view agricultural waste. Trupti’s initiative has helped over 200 farmers adopt sustainable practices, providing them with a profitable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional crop production. Through hands-on training, her farm has educated over 7,000 students and farmers, showing them how to grow high-quality mushrooms using organic methods and reducing the environmental damage caused by waste burning. "We are improving our soil quality by using natural farming", says Trupti.
The long-term impact is equally significant. By promoting mushroom farming as a sustainable solution to agricultural waste, Trupti is contributing to a shift towards more sustainable, organic farming practices across India. The farm’s zero-waste model composting mushroom stalks into fertilizer demonstrates a circular economy in action. This innovation is not only improving the environmental footprint of farming but is also fostering economic empowerment, especially among women and small-scale farmers who now have access to a profitable, low-maintenance agricultural product. The growing demand for organic, nutritious food further supports the long-term success and scaling of the initiative.
The success of Quality Mushroom Farm can be directly linked to the sustainable practices it promotes. By focusing on organic, eco-friendly farming, the business has cultivated a strong reputation for high-quality, chemical-free mushrooms. In just a few years, Trupti's farm generates Rs 4 lakh per month in revenue, a direct result of its innovative, waste-to-food business model. "In pandemic situation people wanted protein and we delivered home to home and that boosted our sales". She also shared how by introducing value-added products, such as mushroom cookies and cupcakes, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the farm expanded its market base and created new revenue streams, helping the business navigate difficult times.
"Since eight years, I am in this business and social media is helping us to connect to more people", shared Trupti.
This innovation has also created new opportunities for growth, both in terms of product offerings and market expansion. "I started with 2000 sq ft area and now my farm is of 10000 sq ft area. I want to cultivate more mushroom and plan to start in in one acre area, says Trupti. By fostering collaborations with local farmers, she has been able to expand her supply chain while promoting organic farming methods. These efforts have increased retention rates and created new partnerships that benefit both the farm and the larger agricultural community. The success of this model has opened up investment opportunities, enabling Trupti to continue expanding her farm and further develop new, sustainable farming techniques. She has been featured in NDTV ICONS of Bharat for her contribution to Mushroom Farming in August 2022.
Trupti’s initiative brings multiple benefits to society and the environment. Through her zero-waste farming approach, Quality Mushroom Farm significantly reduces the harmful effects of agricultural waste, which is often burned, contributing to air pollution and environmental degradation. By converting this waste into valuable mushrooms, Trupti is not only mitigating pollution but also creating a sustainable food source. Her business promotes a more circular economy by repurposing waste products into high-value, nutritious food, which reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. She also shared "we are also making farmers aware about the vermicomposting and they have also going for natural farming. Vermicompost result is amazing"
On a societal level, Trupti’s focus on educating and empowering farmers, especially women, is contributing to economic growth in rural communities. Trupti wants to open her lab in 2025 so that students pursuing masters can come and engage in research. "I plan to provide space to MSc students engage in research and my plan to cultivate various varieties of Mushroom", says Trupti. The hands-on training provided by her farm gives farmers the tools to improve their livelihoods by adopting sustainable and organic farming practices. By offering accessible, profitable alternatives to traditional farming methods, Trupti is helping reduce the financial burden on farmers and empowering them to take charge of their economic futures. The focus on women’s empowerment, with many of her initiatives aimed at providing women with entrepreneurial opportunities, helps create a more inclusive and equitable farming community.
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Quality mushroom farms cultivate and distribute a variety of fresh and speciality mushrooms under controlled and sustainable conditions. They emphasize organic practices, eco-friendly methods, and the innovative use of agricultural waste as a primary resource for cultivation. Additionally, they promote women's empowerment by providing training and creating employment opportunities.
