Agartala , Jul 31, 2024, Rashmi Shil

Agartala July 31: One fine day, when Mriganka Das- a student of Zoology Honors secretly attended Botany Class, where mushroom cultivation was taught and demonstrated, little did he know that an idea awaited him- one that would make him an entrepreneur with a multi-lakh business to his name, in the next few years.

Mriganka Das, a resident of North Kacherghat area in Kailasahar under Unakoti district of Tripura has become a shining example of hard work, sincerity and determination, just at the age of twenty-four.

From that Botany Class, Mriganka’s journey began with a passion for mushroom cultivation, and today, he stands as a successful entrepreneur.

Starting with a modest eight packets of mushroom spawn, Mriganka embarked on his entrepreneurial journey six years ago with merely Rs 500, saved from tuition fees.

“My parents were not in support of my idea during the preliminary days but later as I started earning profit they were convinced”, said Das while talking with Tripura Times.

From eight packets, Mriganka now cultivates approximately 700 packets of mushrooms per month at his home of Milky and Oyster variety, turning his passion into a thriving commercial venture.

Mushrooms, often referred to as “vegetable meat,” offer a unique blend of taste and health benefits. Rich in linoleic acid and low in cholesterol, they are a heart-healthy choice. Beyond their nutritional value, mushrooms contain natural antibiotics like penicillin, making them beneficial for human health and therefore have a good demand in the market, said Das.

However, Mriganka’s entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t stop at cultivation. He adds value to his mushrooms by creating innovative products such as mushroom papad, bhujia, biscuits, and pickles.

His dedication caught the attention of Niti Deb, the wife of former chief minister and current Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb, who received a thoughtful gift of mushrooms from him.

Talking about his future aspirations in expanding the business further, Mriganka said, “As of now I don’t have any idea of expanding into the lab section but is hoping to work on the by-products of mushrooms like papad, bhujia, biscuits, pickles etc”.

Mriganka targets to earn Rs2.5 – 3 lakhs per month by selling the mushroom by-products through online platforms like Amazon by the end of this year.

“Trial runs of the products are going on and I am waiting for some certification work. As soon as I am done with that, I will start selling”, he said.

Das however added that he has not received any government assistance for his mushroom farming endeavours till date. But being recognized as a successful farmer, he is invited every year by the State Horticulture Department to impart training to those interested in this field.

Kailashahar Sub-Divisional Magistrate Pradip Sarkar recently visited Das’s mushroom unit, recognizing the fruits of his hard work and enthusiasm.

“There’s always an opportunity around us, we just need to work with a positive mindset to crack that opportunity and wait patiently for the results “said an optimistic Mriganka who hopes to employ at least 50 persons under him in the future.

In a world where idle hands yield no rewards, Mriganka Das stands as a testament to the power of diligence and dreams. His story inspires others to pursue their passions, knowing that success and income await those who work tirelessly.