After dedicating 14 years to the fast-paced world of information technology, an engineer from Odisha has made a significant career pivot, establishing a highly successful commercial mushroom farming operation in his hometown of Nabarangpur.
Vikramdev Mohapatra, a BTech graduate in Electronics and Communications Engineering, decided to leave his corporate roles behind. He founded Ganga Bhumi Mushrooms, a venture that has quickly grown into a substantial enterprise, reportedly generating between ₹16 lakh and ₹19 lakh in monthly revenue.
From Software to Spores
Mohapatra completed his engineering degree from Biju Patnaik University of Technology, Odisha, in 2012. His subsequent 14-year career in the IT industry saw him work with prominent companies such as Discoverture Solutions, Mindtree, Serole Technologies, and LTIMindtree. He held various positions, including software engineer, module lead, technical lead, and senior specialist in package implementation, gaining extensive experience in software development, product implementation, SAP solutions, team management, and client coordination.
Despite a robust career trajectory, Mohapatra chose to return to Nabarangpur with the ambition of building a business in the agricultural sector. This decision led to the creation of Ganga Bhumi Mushrooms, a commercial unit focused on mushroom production and processing.
A Flourishing Agricultural Enterprise
Ganga Bhumi Mushrooms operates on a significant scale, far exceeding typical small-scale farming. The business produces an impressive 500-600 kg of mushrooms daily, translating to a monthly output of 15-18 tonnes. These fresh mushrooms are then supplied to markets in major cities like Brahmapur and Bhubaneswar, ensuring year-round operation for the unit.
Key figures reported for the business include:
- Daily production: 500-600 kg
- Monthly production: 15-18 tonnes
- Monthly revenue: ₹16-19 lakh
- Average selling price: Around ₹100-110 per kg
- Project cost: Approximately ₹2.56 crore
- Government subsidy: ₹97 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana
The venture reportedly earns over ₹10 lakh per month after accounting for operating expenses, demonstrating its strong profitability.
Local Impact and Employment Generation
Beyond its financial success, Mohapatra’s return to his roots has created significant employment opportunities within the local community. Ganga Bhumi Mushrooms currently employs 24 individuals, comprising 18 women and six men, providing stable livelihoods in the region. This makes the enterprise not just a personal career shift but a valuable contributor to local economic development.
Mohapatra emphasizes that while mushroom cultivation may seem distant from software development, managing an operation of this magnitude requires many of the same organizational and managerial skills honed in the corporate world. Production planning, team management, supply chain coordination, system maintenance, and market distribution are all crucial components, illustrating how his IT background has inadvertently prepared him for agricultural entrepreneurship.