From a Spark to a Passion

Upon returning home, while Mathew was searching for a suitable lifestyle that aligned closely with nature, he happened to visit the local Krishi Bhavan (Agricultural Office). Recognizing Mathew’s affinity for agriculture and nature, as well as his business acumen, the agricultural officers presented the idea of mushroom cultivation to him.
The scientist within Mathew was awakened the moment he realized that beyond the hazardous facets of microorganisms like fungi, there existed a beneficial and wonderful world. It soon transformed into a deep passion. What followed was a period of intense experimentation. He began his trials by gathering maximum knowledge from the field and undergoing various training programs provided by the Agriculture Department. With financial assistance from the Department of Agriculture, he constructed a mushroom shed capable of holding one hundred beds and commenced cultivation. Like a father caring for his newborn baby, he tended to those beds day and night.

Overcoming the First Hurdle

Although he waited anxiously to see a great miracle unfold, the harvest rewarded him with nothing but disappointment. In place of the massive harvest Mathew expected, nature offered him a mere 200 grams of mushrooms! It wasn’t even enough to fill a small teacup. He also witnessed various unpredictable tantrums of nature.
However, Mathew was not ready to back down. Determined to fight his way through, Mathew eventually walked up the steps of success. In that meagre 200-gram yield, he did not see failure, but rather the embers of his future success. The question of why he failed became an obsession. He turned his home into a scientific laboratory. During sleepless nights, through books, internet research, and meticulous experiments, he unlocked the secrets of mushroom growth one by one.
Mathew realized that the harsh heat and humidity of Kerala were draining the life out of his mushrooms. He decided to apply his engineering knowledge here. Taking a major financial risk, he invested ₹5 lakhs to independently build a state-of-the-art “Fan and Pad” evaporative cooling system. Equipped with systems to easily monitor and instantly rectify climate fluctuations, this unit managed to artificially replicate the cool, hillside climate of Ooty and Kodaikanal right in the middle of the hot Thalayolaparambu village.

The Technological Revolution & Scale-Up

That technological revolution turned out to be a massive success! Step by step, his small room grew into a mammoth high-tech farm with 6,000 mushroom beds. The sight of mushrooms blooming simultaneously across 6,000 beds every three months was nothing short of a marvel. His business grew to such an extent that he began spending a thousand rupees daily just to buy mushroom spawn.

However, procuring spawn worth a thousand rupees daily from the market and ensuring its quality became a major challenge. On top of it all, there was a severe shortage of mushroom spawn in the market. Even when facing losses worth lakhs right before his eyes, Mathew refused to surrender. To avoid depending on anyone else, he brought out his engineering prowess and established a state-of-the-art Spawn Production Unit right on his farm at a very low cost. He put an end to his frantic search in the market and produced the finest quality seeds himself.
Witnessing Mathew’s extraordinary fighting spirit and hard work first-hand, the Agriculture Department officials assisted him by providing a substantial government subsidy to start a packing unit to properly package and market the mushrooms.

Conquering the Market with “Healthy Whites”

Soon, Mathew’s beautifully packaged mushrooms conquered not just the local markets of Thalayolaparambu, but also major supermarkets in the cities. The mushrooms are brought to the market under the brand name “Healthy Whites”.

Mathew recalls that since oyster mushrooms are highly perishable, the unsold packets returned from supermarkets were initially a major headache. Marketing remains a tough nut to crack, which continues to trouble Mathew to some extent. Based on the realization that nearly 30% of the mushrooms were being returned from shops, he began thinking about value-added products.
This is where Mathew decided to utilize the culinary expertise of his wife, who had proven skills in this area. That is how around twenty different value-added products were trialed, and these products became highly popular across various platforms. They started making a variety of items such as Cutlets, Unniyappam, Momos, Payasam, Soup,Mushroom Manchurian, Cakes, Buns, Pickles etc. Along with this, the family has entered the final stages of standardizing six different products, including health mixes and cookies made from dried mushroom powder.

In addition to this, he shifted gears into cultivating Milky Mushrooms, which are fleshier and have a longer shelf life, finding success there as well. By converting the mushroom beds prepared with pellets into compost, he also created a “Zero Wastage” miracle. A noteworthy achievement is that this fully fulfilled the organic fertilizer requirements for the agricultural crops at his home.

An Inspiration to all Mushroom farmers…..

The role of precise scientific training behind the success of this venture is immense. Sponsored and organized by the Kerala State Horticulture Mission, Mathew was selected as one of the farmers to undergo advanced training at the renowned Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) in Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Mathew gratefully remembers that the excellent training received there helped him understand the subtle, intricate nuances of mushroom cultivation. Mathew also proudly recalls the timely intervention and support of the Agriculture Department officials, which is highly commendable.

The expatriate youth who returned home with nothing but a dream is an inspiration to the farmers of Kerala today. When his foreign technical expertise combined with his boundless love for his homeland, mushroom cultivation became a viable livelihood for Mathew in just 20 months. Through his passion for farming and scientific care, production increased exponentially.
Building a vast mushroom empire of 6,000 beds from a mere 200 grams of initial harvest, this farm now delivers an average of 20 kg of mushrooms to the market daily. Mathew has shown the world that a person who refuses to accept defeat can harvest gold even from the soil. This entrepreneur’s message to everyone is that growing from a small start into a large enterprise was possible due to the right guidance from the Agriculture Department and the Horticulture Mission, and that anyone willing to work hard can build a phenomenal future in mushroom cultivation.

]]> https://shm.kerala.gov.in/the-dragon-fruit-sweetness-that-defeated-saline-water-in-farming/ Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:16:13 +0000 https://shm.kerala.gov.in/?p=2102 A beautiful dragon fruit orchard is now blooming on the banks of the lake, where it was thought that even grass would not grow due to the rising tide and the threat of flooding. Kunnandisseril Nizam and his wife Jasina of Arattupuzha are busy harvesting a bumper crop despite all the adverse conditions on the banks of the Kayamkulam lake. They have already harvested about 600 kg of dragon fruit from their orchard in this year’s harvest, which began in mid-March.

The State Horticulture Mission- Kerala, which supports farmers from seed to market, has been implementing the expansion of the cultivation area of exotic fruit varieties in Kerala for years. Dragon fruit is the main exotic fruit included in the project. Although farmers in Kerala were initially hesitant to cultivate dragon fruit, the quality of the fruit and its market potential have convinced them. By understanding and taking up the challenges, we have started cultivating it and now, without depending on foreign countries and other states, we can bring quality and non-toxic dragon fruit produced in Kerala to the markets. The role of the State Horticulture Mission- Kerala is very important in this.

Dragon fruit is cultivated in tropical and subtropical climates, but our farmer Nizam took the bold decision to start cultivating dragon fruit on land where he thought no other crops were possible except coconuts, which are nourished by saltwater from the nearby stream and lake.

Initially, the cultivation started on an experimental basis in about 150 plastic drums in the backyard, and later expanded to the lakeside. They spent lakhs of rupees to make the land suitable for cultivation by removing rocks and gravel on the lakeside. The seedlings used for cultivation are of the Malaysian Red variety. Since there is a risk of flooding, the seedlings are planted one foot above ground level.

The farmer says that the reason for choosing dragon fruit is that it requires only minimal irrigation and always fetches a good price in the market. A minimum yield of 70 kg to 160 kg is obtained in a day. It is sold in the market at a price of Rs. 160 per kg. It is mainly sold in fruit shops and supermarkets in Arattupuzha and Kayamkulam.
The local dragon fruit grown in the garden is in great demand in the market due to its rich color and taste. The farmer testifies that the fruit produced is not in a state of shortage and that he is earning a good income from farming.

The support of the State Horticulture Mission-Kerala staff in Alappuzha district, the Assistant Director of Agriculture Kayamkulam, the Agriculture Officer of Arattupuzha, and the Agricultural Assistants has inspired the farmer. The State Horticulture Mission-Kerala has provided financial assistance of Rs. 45,000. A pond has also been built under the State Horticulture Mission-Kerala project.
Consideration is also being given to the practical aspects of implementing a farm tourism project centered around this naturally beautiful plantation. Nizam and Jaseena have demonstrated that, with hard work and determination, even adverse conditions can be transformed into productive farmlands.

As part of the Large-Scale Mushroom Cultivation Unit established under the RKVY Mushroom Village 2025-26 , Mrs. Ramani set up a modern mushroom house equipped with a fan-and-pad environmental control system. This facility enables her to maintain more than 500 mushroom beds simultaneously, ensuring high-quality and consistent production. The adoption of scientific cultivation practices and efficient crop management has significantly enhanced productivity.

With the increase in production, a Pack House was also established under the SHM–RKVY Project with financial assistance from the TSP Fund, facilitated through the Krishi Bhavan. According to Mrs. Ramani, the pack house has enabled her to hygienically process and package mushrooms while maintaining high quality standards before marketing them. This has considerably improved the market value of her produce and strengthened consumer confidence.

Today, mushroom cultivation provides Mrs. Ramani with a stable and sustainable source of income. She has also become an inspiration and role model for aspiring mushroom growers and entrepreneurs in the region. Her success story demonstrates how the effective utilization of government schemes, combined with dedication and hard work, can transform a small-scale farming activity into a thriving and sustainable enterprise.

Background

Agriculture is undergoing a remarkable transformation through the adoption of advanced technologies that improve productivity, enhance quality, and promote sustainable farming practices. Mr. Sukdev Pandarathil of Mullankolli Panchayat in Panamaram Block, Wayanad, has emerged as a progressive farmer by successfully adopting hi-tech hydroponic farming for the cultivation of premium exotic leafy vegetables. His innovative approach has transformed conventional farming into a profitable agribusiness with access to international export markets.

The Innovative Venture

In 2024, Mr. Sukdev established a 3,888 sq. ft. naturally ventilated polyhouse equipped with a state-of-the-art hydroponic cultivation system. The unit incorporates advanced automated sensors that continuously monitor and regulate critical environmental parameters such as nutrient concentration, pH, temperature, humidity, and irrigation. This precision farming technology provides an ideal growing environment, ensuring optimum plant growth, higher productivity, and superior-quality produce throughout the year. The hydroponic system enables uninterrupted cultivation of high-value exotic leafy vegetables, including lettuce, kale, and other premium greens, irrespective of seasonal climatic variations.

Production and Marketing

Mr. Sukdev harvests fresh leafy vegetables twice a week, with an average production of 250 kg per harvest. His produce is marketed under the premium brand “Wayanad Exotic,” reflecting its freshness and superior quality.

To meet international quality standards, the harvested vegetables are:

• Hygienically cleaned and scientifically graded.
• Packed in premium-quality branded cartons.
• Transported through refrigerated vehicles to preserve freshness and minimise post-harvest losses.
• Exported primarily to Arabian countries, particularly Qatar, where demand for premium exotic vegetables continues to grow.
The produce fetches an average market price of ₹270 per kilogram, ensuring a stable and remunerative income.

Support from the Department of Agriculture

The successful establishment of this hi-tech farming enterprise was made possible through the technical guidance and financial assistance provided by the Department of Agriculture.
During the financial year 2024–25, Mr. Sukdev received financial assistance of ₹31.29840 lakh under the State Horticulture Mission Scheme for the construction of the hi-tech polyhouse. The Department also provided continuous technical support for the design, installation, and scientific management of the hydroponic cultivation system.

Major Achievements

• Established a 3,888 sq. ft. advanced hydroponic polyhouse.
• Producing premium-quality exotic leafy vegetables throughout the year.
• Harvesting twice a week with an average yield of 250 kg per harvest.
• Marketing produce under the premium brand “Wayanad Exotic.”
• Maintaining international quality standards through scientific post-harvest handling and refrigerated transportation.
• Exporting premium leafy vegetables to international markets, especially Qatar.
• Generating higher farm income by marketing produce at approximately ₹270 per kg.
• Demonstrating the commercial viability of precision hydroponic farming in Wayanad.

Impact

Mr. Sukdev Pandarathil’s success demonstrates the immense potential of integrating modern technology with agriculture. His enterprise has become a model of climate-resilient, market-oriented farming, proving that hydroponic cultivation can ensure consistent production, premium-quality produce, and enhanced profitability.
By adopting scientific production techniques, value addition through branding, and efficient cold-chain logistics, he has successfully connected local production with international markets. His achievements serve as an inspiration to farmers, particularly young entrepreneurs, encouraging them to embrace hi-tech agriculture as a sustainable and profitable livelihood option.