Pratibha Jha: From Rs 500 to Rs 2 Lakh – A Mushroom Success Story -

A Dream Planted in a Small Village

Pratibha Jha’s entrepreneurial journey started in Darbhanga, Bihar, with just Rs 500 and a dream. Fascinated by mushroom farming as a child, her curiosity blossomed into a thriving business. Today, she earns Rs 2 lakh monthly, proving that determination and innovation can change lives.

Pratibha grew up in Muzaffarpur, often watching farmers cultivate mushrooms. Life took a challenging turn when she lost her father and was married at 15. Though life seemed to push her into traditional roles, her passion for mushrooms never wavered.

Pratibha Jha’s First Step: Mushrooms in a 10×10 Room

In 2016, with her husband’s support, Pratibha underwent formal training in mushroom cultivation. Armed with Rs 500, she transformed a vacant 10×10 room into her first mushroom farm. Her initial harvest of 20 packets brought in Rs 1,000. Though small, it fueled her determination to grow her business.

When sourcing mushroom spawn became a challenge, Pratibha learned to create her own. This skill transformed her operations, allowing her to expand and produce 10 kg of spawn daily. By 2017, she cultivated oyster, milky, and button mushrooms, building a loyal customer base by offering chemical-free produce.

Empowering Farmers Through Mushroom Farming

As her business thrived, Pratibha realized the power of sharing knowledge. In 2018, she began training farmers, empowering over 10,000 individuals with the skills to start their own mushroom ventures. Her training, supported by the Darbhanga Agriculture Department, sparked a wave of entrepreneurship in her community.

Farmers who once doubted mushrooms’ value now sell them in local markets, reaping significant profits. “Teaching them has been the most rewarding part of my journey,” Pratibha shares.

Beyond Mushrooms: Diversifying Success

Pratibha’s business is more than just mushrooms. She creates value-added products like pickles and snacks, which delight customers. Her innovative ideas, like encouraging farmers to sell mushroom pakoras, have boosted local incomes and created opportunities.

With a monthly turnover of Rs 2 lakh, Pratibha dreams of expanding her business across Bihar. Her advice? “Don’t fear the first step. Success lies in determination. If I can do it, so can you.”

Pratibha Jha’s story is proof that with grit and vision, even the smallest seed can grow into a life-changing venture.