It was 2020, and as the world grappled with the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, assistant professor Sonia Dahiya found herself at a crossroads — a chance to transform a small idea into something extraordinary.
While most were confined within the strict boundaries of lockdown life, the PhD holder embraced the unexpected opportunity to cultivate her dream: mushroom farming.
Initially met with doubt from her loved ones — who were accustomed to the security of teaching and government jobs — she persevered, undeterred by scepticism.
Sonia spent countless hours online, drawing knowledge from research papers, until ‘Doctor Dahiya Mushroom Farm’ was born. With an initial investment of Rs 40 lakh, she built two growing rooms and hired local help, learning through trial and error.
“We grow button mushrooms in a high-tech, controlled environment. This allows us to produce year-round — an endeavour greatly supported by my background in biotechnology. It takes us two months to prepare one batch. Each crop cycle is a labour of love,” says the Sonipat resident.
By 2022, her vision had expanded to include two more growing rooms, allowing her to produce an impressive 10 tonnes of mushrooms every month. Today, this growth continues to strengthen her business, bringing in a monthly revenue of Rs 9 lakh, with a net income of Rs 1 lakh, as she supplies a growing list of customers, from local caterers to vendors at Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi.
But these numbers tell only part of the story.
What it takes to grow mushrooms
Sonia’s journey has not been without its trials. From failed compost batches to power cuts that threatened delicate mushroom crops, every challenge underscored the complexities of mushroom cultivation — akin to caring for a newborn, she remarks.
Early obstacles, such as inconsistent production cycles and subpar market-bought compost, pushed her to find better solutions. Recognising the need for more control, she decided to establish her own compost unit — a turning point that improved both efficiency and production quality.
“Compost is crucial for growing mushrooms. We would sometimes receive drenched compost and incur losses of up to Rs 2 lakh. I started using locally available paddy straw, chicken manure, and wheat bran to make my own nutrient-rich compost,” she adds.
She also points out that “mushroom farming is more complex than it seems”. “We must carefully regulate carbon dioxide and oxygen levels. During the first 40 days of the vegetative phase, we keep the windows closed. Once mushrooms begin to appear on the bags, they need oxygen, so we open the windows for ventilation.”
Temperature control is equally critical, Sonia says. “If a power cut causes the temperature of the bags to rise to 30 degrees Celsius, it becomes challenging to reverse the damage with air conditioning. We need to maintain a consistent temperature between 23 and 25 degrees for optimal growth,” she shares.
Sonia’s scientific expertise in biotechnology certainly facilitated the farm’s operations, but it was her heart for community empowerment that truly drove her vision.
‘Not for me, but for my village women’
Known fondly as the ‘Mushroom Lady of Haryana’, Sonia’s venture is about more than just commercial success — it is a mission to empower women, particularly those desperately in need of opportunities.
“As an assistant professor, I had a stable job, but the pandemic opened my eyes to the struggles of rural women with limited education. I realised my calling was to empower them with skills and opportunities. I believe that if you have taken care of your needs, maybe it’s time to look at how you can impact society,” she says.
As Sonia balances her responsibilities at her government job, she relies on a team of 15 rural women to manage daily farm operations. Through this work, they have found stable employment, earning incomes that have transformed their lives. Many, like Savita and Pinki Devi, have also overcome daunting personal challenges.
Savita, a 40-year-old worker at the farm, traded relentless, unstable days as a daily wage labourer for the security of a steady income. “Previously, I struggled to earn Rs 250 a day, working under the harsh sun without any job stability — sometimes going 10 days without work. Now, I earn Rs 11,500 per month,” she says with pride.
Her work at the farm allowed her family the luxury of regular meals — a seemingly simple yet profound change. “Now, we are able to include vegetables in our daily diet,” she smiles innocently.
Meanwhile, Pinki Devi has found a supportive environment and the dignity of reliable employment, a far cry from her previous work as an agricultural labourer. She finds the tasks manageable and appreciates the better income and timely payments.
“Previously, I worked under harsh sunlight, but now I enjoy the comfort of air-conditioned rooms. Sometimes, I even stay an hour beyond my shift. I like it here,” she adds.
Sonia points out that these rural women overcome challenges every day. “Recently, the husband of one of our workers called me. He asked me to fire his wife because she was not available to tend to him all the time. This highlights the fight for independence these women endure daily. My goal is to support them in earning extra income and finding their strength,” she says.
Today, in the cool, controlled environment of the farm’s high-tech rooms, Sonia finds fulfilment in more than just cultivating mushrooms — she cultivates hope among rural women. “Sometimes, we dance, share chai pakoras (tea and fried snacks), or even host DJ nights,” she shares with a smile.
For many women at the farm, especially widows and divorcees, moments of camaraderie are as nourishing as their stable incomes. “It isn’t just about business; it’s about offering hope and independence to those who need it most,” says Sonia.
Edited by Khushi Arora; All images courtesy Dr Sonia Dahiya
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