When a child is requested what they need to turn into once they develop up, the standard solutions are both a health care provider, pilot, lawyer, or engineer. What is unusual to listen to is that they need to turn into farmers.

Rising up in cities, away from farms, most kids will not be even conscious of the place their meals comes from. Nevertheless, for Rishabh and Ayush Gupta, two brothers from Agra, it was completely different.

“My father and grandfather had been each very all for agriculture and farming. After we had been younger, my father even tried his hand at polyhouse farming however was not in a position to take it by way of. Since then, my brother and I’ve been within the area,” Ayush says in a dialog with The Higher India.

Presently, the duo run an natural polyhouse farm in Agra rising 16 kinds of greens and mushrooms. Their enterprise has been hovering with success, promoting greater than Rs 1 lakh value of merchandise day by day. Their farm produces 40 tonnes of mushrooms and 45 tonnes of greens each month!

Intrigued about how they do it? Here’s what they need to say:

Making our father’s goals come true

Initially from Delhi, Ayush (25) and Rishabh (27) grew up watching their father dream of pursuing polyhouse farming. The household moved to Agra in 2014. 

Polyhouse farming, additionally known as greenhouse farming or protected cultivation, includes rising crops inside a managed setting. Polyhouses, constructed from clear supplies like polyethene or polycarbonate, allow daylight penetration whereas trapping warmth inside.

“My father was working and couldn’t dedicate full consideration to it. He prompt my grandfather take it up, however he didn’t both. So, he at all times harboured this want, and when my brother and I made a decision to enterprise into it, we knew the place to start out,” says Ayush.

All of it started when the COVID-19 pandemic hit the nation. “Again then, I used to be in London learning BBA, and my brother was learning in Dubai. We had no intention of coming again house that 12 months, however I needed to return because of the lockdown,” he says.

“However my brother was caught in Dubai as a consequence of journey restrictions. It was throughout that point that he began feeling lonely and needed to come back again house. He realised that he wanted to be close to his household. So, throughout our conversations, he made the choice to return to India,” he says.

By the tip of 2020, the brothers reunited and determined not to return to both London or Dubai and as a substitute keep again house.

“We used to at all times focus on how, if we ever grew to become enterprise individuals, we’d enter the meals trade. Nevertheless, my father’s ardour in the direction of having a farm motivated us to attempt our hand at that,” he says.

Nevertheless, the brothers’ resolution to turn into farmers was not well-received by the household.

“It’s not unusual in Indian households for the relations to have robust opinions. My father was instructed that he has put a lot cash into our training and despatched us overseas for nothing,” he says.

Disheartened by the response, it was his father that gave them the braveness. “My father instructed us that we want not hearken to anybody. If this feels proper, then we should proceed with the thought,” he shares.

With a nod from his dad and mom, the brother duo determined to make use of some financial savings and mortgage some quantity to arrange the polyhouse farm in Agra.

Natural, pure and recent

By the tip of 2020, the duo had initiated the setup of their farm. “We even secured a 40 % authorities subsidy, prompting us to begin with planting English Cucumber in our polyhouse farm,” he says.

Inside 4 months, the duo established their preliminary cultivation and harvested it inside 5 months. “The cucumber marked only the start. We sought additional enlargement and ventured into experimenting with further greens,” he says.

Nearly a decade in the past, Ayush recollects, whereas he was in Delhi, he launched a small mushroom enterprise. “We sourced mushrooms from farmers, packed them, and bought them. Though temporary, it made me realise the substantial revenue potential of mushrooms.”

Due to this fact, when Ayush and Rishabh determined to diversify into mushrooms, they anticipated elevated income. “We allocate 1 acre of the farm for different veggies resembling cucumber, tomatoes, and potatoes, and a couple of acres for mushrooms. We initiated mushroom cultivation in 2022, and our income have been on the rise since then,” he shares.

Other than his earlier mushroom expertise, Ayush additionally noticed a pattern in his metropolis. “The area is predominantly inhabited by vegetarians who favour mushrooms. Button mushroom’s recognition has surged over time. With new recipes circulating on-line, persons are relishing this chewy fungus. I even seen mushrooms that includes prominently in wedding ceremony celebrations, with varied dishes showcasing them as the principle ingredient.”

At the moment, they yield roughly 40 tonnes of mushrooms monthly. “They’re all A-grade mushrooms, distinguished by their maturity, well-formed form, and meticulous trimming. Moreover, there are ‘B’ grade mushrooms, which, as a consequence of irregular shapes, are bought to meals processing corporations for canning,” he provides.

Working underneath the model names Gupta Natural Farms and A3R Mushroom Farms, the brothers market their merchandise to companies and direct customers. “We provide to quite a few companies in Agra and Delhi, and there’s important client demand within the metropolis. In complete, our month-to-month gross sales exceed Rs 1 lakh. Our annual turnover stands at Rs 7.5 crores,” he says.

Ayush underscores the model’s dedication to offering the perfect to its prospects, emphasising that no chemical substances are used to assist progress. “All our greens and mushrooms are grown organically, with out the usage of any chemical fertilisers,” he says.

Reflecting on his journey, Ayush says, “I do know it’s changing into more and more unusual for individuals to look down on a occupation like farming. Folks would touch upon how there are higher jobs on the market, however with the proper set of individuals and motivation, you can also make it worthwhile.”

You may study extra about their merchandise right here.

(Edited by Padmashree Bhat; All image credit score: Ayush Gupta)