Chandigarh engineer quit Rs 90 lakh job to start microgreens farming. He now earns Rs 1.44 crore in annual revenue from Rs 30,000 investment

As per the National Library of Medicine, microgreens are young vegetable, grain and herb plants harvested 7–21 days after germination. Known for their vibrant colours, tender texture and concentrated flavours, they are packed with vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds. Their nutritional value and appealing sensory qualities have made them increasingly popular among chefs and health researchers. For Mohit Nijhawan, from Chandigarh, serious health concerns within his family prompted the ex-pharma professional to quit his high-paying Rs 90 LPA job to take up microgreens farming.

From corporate career to microgreens farming

As per ETV Bharat, Mohit, a B.Tech Computer Science graduate, was happy to work in corporate for 22 years but after his in-laws succumbed to cancer, he decided to change his career path. The incidents made Mohit realise that a lot of lifestyle-related diseases are often linked to what we put on our plate. So, in 2020, he took a leap of faith and resigned.

Mohit’s journey into microgreens farming wasn’t a bed of roses. After being duped in 2021, he started from scratch again in 2022, founding Embryonic Greens (Opc) Private Limited and launching his microgreens brand, Greenu, reported The Better India. He started the business venture with just Rs 30,000 investment and a small 100 square foot space in Chandigarh, from the second floor of his house.

From Rs 30,000 to crores in revenue

Initially, Mohit planted only 21 varieties of seeds. But at present, the entrepreneur grows more than 75 varities in a 500-square-foot room, such as broccoli, radish, mustard, and even millet microgreens, which are rich in calcium and vitamin B12. Since the company's launch in 2022, it has generated around Rs 12 lakh in monthly revenue, which comes to approximately Rs 1.44 crore annually, with an annual profit of about Rs 60 lakh.

Mohit states that 6,500 trays are sold each month, with each tray priced at an average of Rs 200. He is also committed to spreading knowledge about microgreens and helping others adopt the practice. Mohit conducts training programmes for a nominal fee of Rs 149. Through these efforts, he hopes to help farmers and aspiring growers across India learn how to cultivate microgreens organically, creating opportunities to boost their earnings while encouraging healthier lifestyles.