Who knew mushrooms could turn into a money-making machine? That’s exactly what happened to Jong Siew Kuen, a 41-year-old entrepreneur from Bintulu, Sarawak. Together with her husband, she transformed her love for oyster mushrooms into a thriving business, one that now brings in RM37,500 in monthly income.
It All Started With 60,000 Mushroom Blocks
Back in 2019, Jong and her husband took a big leap of faith. Armed with RM1.5 million in capital and zero guarantees, they began cultivating oyster mushrooms using 60,000 blocks.
Today? The number has grown to 100,000 blocks, each producing about 80 grams per harvest. It’s no surprise that their business, Perfect 10 Fresh Mushrooms Sdn Bhd, is now among the biggest in Sarawak.
And they’re not doing it alone, the couple runs the farm with the help of five employees, handling everything from planting to harvesting.
“Growing Mushrooms Is Like Raising a Child”
Jong doesn’t sugarcoat the reality: mushroom farming is tough work.
“It’s like taking care of a child,” she says. “You have to water the mushrooms at least three times a day and monitor the environment constantly.”
The process demands precision, patience, and a whole lot of love. And it’s not without its risks.
A RM130,000 Setback Didn’t Stop Them
In 2022, disaster struck. Their entire mushroom farm was hit by a bacterial outbreak, forcing them to throw out every single mushroom block, and costing them a whopping RM130,000.
Instead of giving up, they cleaned up, sanitised the area, and started from scratch. That resilience is what kept the business alive.
Now Supplying to Brunei and Beyond
From a small local operation, Jong’s mushrooms are now supplied to Bintulu, Miri, and even Brunei Darussalam, a testament to how passion, perseverance, and fungi can go a long way.
If you’re curious or want to support local agriculture, check them out at Perfect 10 Fresh Mushrooms.
Source: here
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