New breed of farmers: How three young athletes found their fortune in fungi

THRISSUR: In a world where many new graduates are looking for office desks, three former volleyball teammates from CMS College, Kottayam, are proving that the real "gold" is in the soil—or rather, the mushroom bed.

G.P. Akhil (23), Muhammed Sahad (23), and K.A. Ansil (22) finished their degrees in 2025 and immediately dived into high-tech agriculture. Today, their 8,000-square-foot facility in Thrissur is a buzzing hub of innovation, netting them an income in the lakhs and producing a staggering 150 kg of mushrooms every single day.

"Smart Farm" Edge

This isn't your average backyard garden. The trio has built a sophisticated, eco-friendly ecosystem that bridges the gap between farming and engineering:

• The Circular Water Loop: They’ve integrated a fish pond into their climate control. Waste water from the mushroom farm is purified and sent to the pond; in return, the pond water is cycled back to the farm’s "cool pads" to keep the mushrooms at the perfect temperature.
• The In-House Lab: To ensure independence and quality, they operate their own laboratory for seed production (spawn) right on the leased land.
• Diverse Portfolio: From common Button and Milky mushrooms to gourmet varieties like Shiitake, Lion’s Mane, and vibrant Blue, Gold, and Pink Oysters, they are catering to both local kitchens and high-end culinary markets.

Building 'Home Mushroom' brand

Raw produce is only half the story. Operating under their brand "Home Mushroom," these young men have mastered the art of "value-adding." When they aren't harvesting from their 10,000 beds, they are diversifying their revenue streams:

• Mushroom-Based Products: They have launched a line of mushroom soaps, pickles, and pappadams.
• Empowering Others: They sell specialised cultivation kits to help others start their own small-scale farms.

Lesson in Partnership

The project's rapid takeoff—becoming a reality just six months ago—was fueled by a mix of Akhil’s prior experience with terrace farming, a bank loan, and a strategic partnership with a Thrissur native who provided land and capital.

These three athletes have shown that with a bit of "court-side" discipline and a high-tech approach, agriculture is no longer just a fallback plan—it’s a winning career.