Success Story of Vikas Benal

Vikas Benal (43) is one of the most successful agriculturists (mushroom growers)
in North India who has carved a niche for himself in a very short span of time. During two
decades of his unparalleled success, he has not only paved the way for employment
generation but is also regarded as an authority in the field of mushroom cultivation.
Born on March 15,1966, Vikas Benal graduated in 1986 (Bachelor of Commerce)
and did his masters in commerce (M. Com.) in 1988 from Himachal Pradesh University.
In a time when lacs of unemployed youth of the state were wasting time to get
meager government jobs, Vikas Benal chose self-employment. He made a humble
beginning with 200 bags of button mushroom in 1990. With a capital investment worth Rs
two lac in 1991 he started growing seasonal button mushrooms. The compost production
unit was also started simultaneously.

In 1999 he did advanced course in mushroom cultivation under the aegis of
National Research Centre for Mushroom (NRCM) now Directorate of Mushroom
Research. Expertise in mushroom cultivation prompted him to expand the unit. The
seasonal mushroom venture was converted into a round the year crop unit by
air-conditioning the same.

He modernized the compost production unit in the year 2000 and made it a fully automatic unit in the year 2009. In order to improve the skills he also did advanced training in Mushroom cultivation under the aegis of Ministry of Food Processing and Food Processing Association of India in 2004.

Vikas Benal bagged the prestigious 'Best Mushroom Grower' award from National Research Centre for Mushroom (now Directorate of Mushroom Research) on September 10,2005. The success story of Mr Benal does not end here. He added another feather to his cap on January 23, 2009 when the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, nominated him as member of Directorate of Mushroom Research Management Committee
for three years.

Mr Vikas Benal was recently (January 2010) nominated as Member, Directorate of
Mushroom Research, ICAR, and Advisory Committee for a period of three years from the
year 2010 to 2012.

The saga does not end
here. Hard Work together with the determination to do something different bore fruits. Today,
Vikas Benal is providing direct and indirect employment to more than 200 people. Annual crop production has touched 400 mt tons.

Spawn production capacity of his farm is 100 mt tonns per annum.
Vikas Mushroom Farm was set up in the year 1990 with a small capital of Rs 6500
(about 141 dollars) with 200 bags of compost from the department of Horticulture,
Government of Himachal Pradesh. The first ever mushroom crop was grown in a mud
house notwithstanding a gross profit of Rs 20,000 was pocketed.

Unfortunately the compost supply from the Horticulture department was erratic ,
short. This prompted Vikas Benal to set up his own compost production unit. A compost
preparation unit of 10 MT capacities was set up in the year 1991. Besides a chamber with
a capacity of 1000 mushroom bags was also constructed with his savings and borrowings
from the family.

Hard Work together with the determination to do something different bore fruits and
in the year 1996 first air-conditioned cropping crop chamber was built. Gradually the
composting unit was also expanded and now the unit has the capacity to produce 5000 mt
tons pasteurized compost per annum and cropping capacity was also strengthened, with
present annual crop touching 400 mt. tons per annum.

Spawn production unit was also started to fulfill in-house requirements and to meet
outside demands. The present spawn production capacity of our farm is 100 mt tons.
Annual turn over of our farm has touched rupees four crores.

During last decade Vikas Mushrooms has carved a niche for itself and today is
regarded as the most innovate mushroom production unit in the country.
Vikas Mushrooms regularly participates in important social events and is invited to
share our unmatched experience. During the last decade the list of honours, citations and
commendations from the government and various social organisations is growing fat day
by day. A few of the prominent awards given to him are as under:

1. Progressive Mushroom Grower award by the Directorate of Mushroom Research,
Chambaghat, Solan (HP) on 10th September 2005 on the occasion of mushroom mela.
2. Successful entrepreneur In Mushroom Cultivation, from National Research Centre for
Mushroom, now (DMR). Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India (Indian Council of
Agricultural Research)

Financial Institutes/Agencies : There are number of govt. agencies and financial
institutes to support mushroom venture, but important factor is that Vikas Mushroom
Farm is 100% self financed.

LOCATION: Vikas Mushroom Farm is located on National Highway No -22 (Barog bye pass) The farm is
3 kilometres away from the mushroom city, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India.