Imagine turning a wild, uncultivable Himalayan fungus into a ₹15 crore business. That’s exactly what Naveen Patwal and Poonam Sharma, an engineer couple from Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, have done. They are the first in India to commercially cultivate Gucchi mushrooms, one of the most expensive mushrooms in the world.
The Brains Behind the Breakthrough
Naveen and Poonam didn’t start off as farmers. With engineering degrees and professional careers behind them, they returned to Uttarakhand with a mission — to build a sustainable farming model using science and innovation.
In 2022, they launched Planet Mushroom, growing exotic mushrooms like shiitake, cordyceps, lion’s mane, and finally, Gucchi (also called Morchella or Morel mushroom).
Today, their mushroom farm earns ₹15 crore annually, supplying to gourmet kitchens, wellness markets, and medicinal brands across India.
What Makes Gucchi Mushroom So Special?
- Grows wild in Himalayan forests
- Extremely rare and seasonal
- Traditionally cannot be cultivated
- Sells for ₹30,000–₹40,000 per kg (dried)
- Rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and medicinal compounds
How They Cracked Gucchi Farming
Gucchi mushroom cultivation had always been considered impossible — until Naveen and Poonam made it happen in December 2024.
🔹 The Process:
- Spawn inoculated in a 100 m² polyhouse at 1600 meters altitude
- Pinheads appeared by 5 March 2025
- Harvested 100 kg of fresh Gucchi on 18 March 2025
- Yield dried to 13 kg, valued at over ₹4 lakh
This was India’s first successful indoor cultivation of Gucchi mushrooms — a huge milestone for Indian agriculture.
From Small Farm to ₹15 Crore Empire
Today, Planet Mushroom:
- Produces 100–200 kg of exotic mushrooms daily
- Supplies to premium clients across India
- Earns an annual revenue of ₹15 crore
- Employs and trains local villagers, promoting rural upliftment
Their Gucchi mushroom success opened new income streams and set an example for agri-entrepreneurs nationwide.
In Their Words
“People said it was impossible to grow Gucchi. But we believed in science, and now we’re growing something that was once only found deep in forests.” – Naveen Patwal
Why This Story Matters
- Breaks agricultural myths
- Shows the power of science in farming
- Inspires young Indians to return to roots and innovate
- Promotes high-income farming in the hills
Conclusion: Farming the Impossible
From abandoned polyhouses to a ₹15 crore turnover, the journey of Naveen and Poonam proves that with vision and determination, even the rarest crops can be farmed. Gucchi mushroom is no longer just a wild delicacy — it’s now a thriving opportunity, cultivated by India’s own mountain innovators.
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