Young Entrepreneur: Janaki Sreekumar: Pioneering Mushroom Farming In Kerala

A desire to inspire others drives this Trivandrum based entrepreneur to scale greater heights of business success | By Sona Harish & Anjana George

It is true that a woman can prove herself and be successful in whatever she puts her mind to. Janaki Sreekumar entered into the mushroom business at a time when myths about the inedibility of mushrooms were prevalent among the fastidious Keralites. The CEO of Swadishta Mushrooms and pioneer of mushroom farming in Kerala smiles modestly saying, “Successful people are always ready to take risks and face challenges. With my husband, Sreekumar’s support today I am proud that I could bring mushroom dishes into daily menu of Malayalees.”   A post graduate in English literature, Janaki wanted to be independent and be her own master. It was in 2000 that she decided to take her husband’s help and know-how to experiment with mushroom gardening on a small scale. “I did not have any knowledge of farming. But I was sure that my husband who comes from an agricultural background, would help me with mushroom farming techniques. The reason I chose to cultivate mushrooms is because it was not known to many and hence there was less competition. Moreover, I could manage on my own.” Janaki’s husband Sreekumar is currently the Assistant Director of Agricultural Department, Rural Agricultural World Market, Nedumangad. Together the husband-wife duo started a small mushroom growing unit in their home at PTP Nagar, Trivandrum. Simultaneously, she researched the field by reading books on mushroom farming and enrolled herself in a training programme at the Agricultural College, Vellayani. “The training at the University boosted my confidence and growing mushrooms became an easy task without compromising on quality. I collect spawns (mushroom seeds) from Kerala Agricultural University for my regular farming needs.  I supplied my first crop of oyster mushrooms to friends and relatives. Their appreciation encouraged me to step into the real business world.” As a first step, Janaki distributed 200gm complementary packets of oyster mushrooms to the leading hotels and restaurants in the city. “The idea took off in a big way. My first customer, Arya Nivas prepared over forty items using mushrooms including the popular mushroom masala dosa. Those who tasted these dishes became regulars there and this increased the demand for mushrooms.”

Without any advertisement and marketing strategies, Janaki’s clientele got bigger. She also started selling home-made mushroom cutlets, rolls and pickles. “I attended more advanced training programmes across India and learnt more about mushroom cultivation and spawn production. As more orders started coming in, I hired an assistant to help me out with the oyster mushroom production.” Janaki used to collect spawns (mushroom seeds) from Kerala Agricultural University for her regular farming needs. Later, when the University stopped supplying spawn in 2002, she decided to grow her own spawns and supply to other farmers too. “By then, the number of employees had increased, so did the production and my whole house was occupied by mushroom beds and the spawn production lab. That's when we decided to shift the mushroom farming unit to another house nearby.” Janaki named her dream business venture Swadishta Mushrooms (which means tasty mushrooms) and took a more professional approach by introducing recipes of chilli mushroom printed on the packets sold. “A newspaper carried an article about me on Women’s Day and this gave me more popularity. Now we supply 2000-3000 spawns in a month in and around Kerala. I deliver mushrooms to Kalavara, Taj, Sindoor, Leela, Flavours and many other restaurants inTrivandrum.” When disposal of the used mushroom beds became an issue, Janaki and her husband set up a vermi-composting unit, Kuleena Vermi Farms through which she sells organic compost to farmers and supplies earthworms for vermi composting. Swadishta Mushrooms outlet now conducts free training programmes on spawn production and mushroom farming every last Saturday of the month. Janaki gladly shares her knowledge and experience with budding farmers without any fear of competition. “I want every household to have a small mushroom garden to cultivate mushrooms for home cooking needs. I want Keralites to accept mushroom as a common ingredient in preparing dishes because of its nutritional value.”   Janaki’s business continues to grow by leaps and bounds with future plans for a full-fledged mushroom farm and laboratory and a walk-in restaurant with lip smacking mushroom dishes. Her business venture provides support and employment to several women who earn their livelihood working at this unit. This distinguished businesswoman and trainer is truly an inspiration to all those who dream of becoming self-sufficient, adventurous and dedicated entrepreneurs. Anyone who gets acquainted with Janaki Sreekumar will agree that the key ingredient of her success is her simplicity, warmth and willingness to help others.   Note: Dear readers, you can contact Janaki on her moblie:9447136382 Resi: 04712363824.