Raju Bhajani, a 40-year-old farmer and entrepreneur from the Nilakh Tarani Pather area in Dhemaji District, Assam, has carved a remarkable path in the world of agriculture. With 14 years of farming experience, he has spent the last six years specializing in mushroom and poultry production, creating a sustainable livelihood for himself and his family. Managing a 6-bigha farm, Raju's dedication to his work and innovative approach to farming have made him a trailblazer in his community.
As the eldest son and a father of two, Raju’s hard work and determination have made him a source of inspiration for many young farmers across Assam and beyond. His story exemplifies the power of perseverance and passion in overcoming challenges, and his success is a testament to the potential of farming as both a livelihood and a thriving business. Let’s explore his journey in mushroom production and poultry farming, and discover how he is setting an inspiring example for the agricultural community of India.
Raju Bhajani's Mushroom Farming Success
Raju has been cultivating mushrooms for the past six years, primarily working with Oyster mushrooms. He has accommodated a total of 4,000 cylinders (mushroom bags) in his 40 x 20 square feet room, from which he harvests at least 10 kg of oysters per day. He mentioned that the current price of mushrooms in his area is Rs. 200 per kg. Raju sources his mushroom spawns mainly from West Bengal, although he has also received spawns from the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) of Assam for demonstration purposes.
He has hired two female workers for packaging, while he oversees the entire unit himself. Additionally, Raju has started a door-to-door delivery service for his customers. When asked about his business and profits, Raju proudly mentioned that he makes 80% profit after deducting the costs of spawn (mushroom seed) and labor.
“If I spend Rs. 100, my expense is Rs. 20, and I earn a profit of Rs. 80 from this business,” Raju thoughtfully shared. He also plans to expand his mushroom unit in the coming years, as his profit margins are quite substantial.
Poultry, King Chilli, and Diversified Farming Ventures
Raju has also shared details about his poultry venture, which he started a few years ago. He has been rearing a dual-purpose breed of chicken called Kamrupa, a cross between the Indigenous chicken breed from the Northeast and a broiler strain, developed at Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati. He currently has a total of 300 birds on his farm, of which 120 are layers, and the rest are kept for meat purposes.
He sells the birds to local meat shops at a wholesale rate of Rs. 420 per kg (whole). Raju mentioned that if he sells them directly in the market, he can earn up to Rs. 450 per kg. In addition to mushrooms and poultry, Raju is also growing King Chilli (Bhoot Jolokia) on half a bigha of land. He sells his produce in the local market. He also cultivates a variety of vegetables on his farmland, both for personal consumption and for sale in the local markets.
Overcoming Challenges in Mushroom and Poultry Farming
Despite earning a good profit from his ventures, Raju has encountered several challenges in both mushroom and poultry farming. “Due to extreme humid climatic conditions of Assam, Oyster mushroom is the only variety suitable for cultivation”, Raju clarified. However, this limits Raju’s ability to experiment with other mushroom varieties, something he deeply enjoys.
In poultry farming, Raju found that Kamrupa birds are excellent layers but do not brood their eggs naturally, requiring an incubator for hatching. To address this issue, he purchased a 300-egg capacity incubator, but frequent power cuts in his area led to failed incubation attempts, posing a significant hurdle in his poultry business. Despite the challenges, Raju remained steadfast in expanding his business. Instead of dwelling on the obstacles, he chose to focus on increasing production and efficiency in both mushroom and poultry farming.
Raju's Path to Success: Inspiring the Next Generation of Farmers
Raju’s journey in farming, from mushroom cultivation to poultry and diversified agriculture, is a testament to the power of perseverance and innovation. Despite facing challenges like the humid climate limiting mushroom varieties and power cuts affecting poultry hatching, he remains focused on growth and efficiency. His ability to overcome these hurdles while maintaining a profitable business highlights his resilience and commitment to his craft.
Raju’s success is driven by his belief in self-sufficiency and hard work. He finds purpose in farming, having embraced entrepreneurship from a young age. His mantra of patience and perseverance has guided his journey, and he actively encourages youth to explore agriculture as a fulfilling career.
