Bilaspur Youth Paves the Way for Self-Reliance through Mushroom Farming

In a remarkable success story from Bilaspur, young entrepreneur Narendra Singh has become a symbol of self-reliance by leveraging the Himachal Pradesh Government’s schemes and training programs. Through his dedication and hard work, he has not only secured his livelihood but also created employment opportunities for many rural youth, showcasing how government support can transform lives.

Turning Challenges into Opportunities

Narendra Singh’s journey began with training from the Garden Department of the Himachal Pradesh Government in Bilaspur. With an initial investment of just Rs. 8,000, he started mushroom production using 100 compost bags. To further enhance his skills, he received advanced training from the National Research Center for Mushroom (NRCM) Solan.

Building a Hi-Tech Mushroom Unit

In 2016-17, with support from the Himachal Pradesh Government and a bank loan, Narendra set up a hi-tech mushroom fertilizer, seed, and production unit. Guided by the Garden Department and DMR Solan, he developed an integrated facility capable of producing high-quality mushroom compost in just 13 days.

Empowering Farmers and Boosting Production

Last year, Narendra supplied 28,000 compost bags to farming families, helping them achieve impressive results. This year, the number has risen to 50,000 bags, benefiting over 2,000 families across districts like Bilaspur, Solan, Mandi, Hamirpur, Una, Shimla, and Kangra. Fresh mushrooms from his unit are regularly supplied to markets in Bilaspur, Sundarnagar, Mandi, Kullu, Manali, Solan, and Shimla.

Generating Employment and Inspiring Change

Narendra’s venture has not only transformed his own financial status—elevating his income from Rs. 50-60 thousand to Rs. 10-12 lakh per year—but also created permanent jobs for 8-10 local youth. His success has earned him accolades at the national level, including the National Level Best Mushroom Growers Award of India (2021-22) from ICAR – Directorate of Mushroom Research, Chambaghat, Solan, and the Navonmeshi Kisan Award from Agriculture University Jammu.

A Vision for the Future

Narendra Singh now plans to expand his venture by cultivating medicinal mushroom varieties like insect herbs, shiitake, reishi, hericium, kabul dingree, black cloth, milk, and straw dingree—species valued at millions in the market.

Empowering Youth through Online Training

To share his knowledge and inspire others, Narendra has also launched a YouTube channel called “Hill Agro Mushroom”, where he provides online training and consultancy to farmers and unemployed youth. This initiative has already benefited thousands, fostering a spirit of self-reliance among young people.

An Inspiration for Self-Reliant India

Narendra Singh’s journey from a small-scale mushroom farmer to a successful entrepreneur is a true testament to the transformative power of government support. His success story is inspiring youth across Himachal Pradesh to take charge of their lives, proving that dedication, coupled with the right guidance, can change fortunes.