Kangra, Himachal Pradesh: Pranav Dhar, a mechanical engineering graduate from Delhi, left his bank job to build a business in his own village. Six months later, his mushroom farm in Samloti village of Nagrota Bagwan has generated around ₹40 lakh in revenue.
Dhar set up the mushroom growing unit with support from the Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Department under the Integrated Horticulture Development Mission for 2026-27. The project has a total cost of around ₹60-70 lakh, while the department provided ₹15 lakh in financial assistance.
Why Pranav Dhar Left His Bank Job
Dhar had been working as a probationary officer in a bank before deciding to leave his job. Although he had studied mechanical engineering, he wanted to build something of his own while staying close to his village.
He also wanted his business to create employment for other people in the area.
Dhar became interested in mushroom farming after learning about large mushroom farms operated by people he knew in Haryana. He then contacted the Horticulture Department, which encouraged him to explore the potential of mushroom production in Himachal Pradesh. He started his farm around six months ago.
From Three Rooms to 50-Tonne Annual Capacity
Dhar’s farm currently has three mushroom-growing rooms. Each room can hold around 1,600 to 2,000 mushroom bags and can produce up to 3.5 tonnes of mushrooms.
The farm has an annual production capacity of more than 50 tonnes.
The business has also created jobs for local residents. Around 8 to 10 people work at the farm, with many of the workers being women. The farm therefore provides employment opportunities to people without requiring them to leave their village.
₹40 Lakh Revenue in Six Months
The farm has generated around ₹40 lakh in revenue during its first six months of operation.
After accounting for employee salaries and other expenses, Dhar said the farm has achieved a profit margin of around 20%. This translates to an estimated profit of approximately ₹8-9 lakh so far.
His experience shows how mushroom farming can become a viable business for people looking to move beyond traditional agriculture.
Government Support for Mushroom Farming in Kangra
The Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Department is promoting mushroom cultivation through several government schemes.
These include the Himachal Development Scheme and MIT-H scheme, which provide support for setting up mushroom production units.
The department provides a subsidy of up to ₹1 lakh for small-scale mushroom units. Larger production units can also receive assistance under applicable government schemes.
In Kangra district, around 211 horticulturists have benefited from these schemes so far. The district has around 164 small-scale mushroom units and 42 production units. Three compost units have also been established to support mushroom production.
Mushroom Farming Can Start With Limited Space
Mushroom cultivation does not require large areas of land, making it suitable for farmers and young people with limited resources.
According to the Horticulture Department, a small mushroom unit can be started in a 10-by-10-foot room with an investment of around ₹9,000-10,000. With proper management, such a unit can generate a net profit of around ₹25,000-30,000 within two-and-a-half to three months.
This makes mushroom farming a potential self-employment opportunity, particularly for young people who want to start an agricultural business without owning large areas of farmland.
DC Calls Pranav Dhar an Example of Rural Entrepreneurship
Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa said horticulture schemes are producing positive results in the district and cited Pranav Dhar’s mushroom farm as an example.
Dhar’s journey from a bank job to mushroom farming reflects how educated young people can use government support, modern agricultural techniques and entrepreneurship to build businesses in rural areas.
For Dhar, the decision to leave a stable banking career has opened a new path — one that allows him to remain close to home while running a growing agricultural business and creating employment for others.
