Farhan Sohail, SG Allied Businesses Limited

Farhan Sohail started his mushroom business in Pakistan just a few years ago, driven by a clear vision. He saw a gap in the market: most mushrooms available in the country were imported in canned form, while fresh mushrooms were still relatively unknown. With growing interest in healthier food, he believed there was strong potential to build a local production.

But like many producers at the early stage, his farm faced serious challenges.

The main issue was compost. It was inconsistent, unpredictable, and difficult to control. Sometimes temperatures in Phase 1 were too low, sometimes ammonia was not properly cleared in Phase 2. This led to weak spawn run, occasional molds, and ultimately unstable yields and quality. The farm was producing, but not at the level required to grow the business with confidence.

In November 2025, Farhan decided to bring in external expertise and contacted UMDIS. Soon after, Makis Baxevanis visited the farm.

From the very beginning, the focus was clear: compost is the foundation of everything.

Makis worked closely with the team, not just explaining what to do, but showing how and why. Together, they restructured the entire composting approach. They adjusted the Phase 1 process, improved the pre-wetting strategy, and refined the timing and sequencing of operations. Instead of isolated fixes, the team began to understand the logic behind the process.

Over the course of several batches, these changes were implemented step by step. With each cycle, the results became more stable.

The difference was significant.

Before the consultation, the farm was achieving around 14% yield. After implementing the new approach, yields increased to 19–20%. Just as importantly, the production became more consistent, and the quality of mushrooms improved noticeably. For the first time, the team felt they truly understood what was happening inside their compost and how to control it.

Today, Farhan’s farm is no longer focused on solving basic problems. Instead, the focus has shifted to growth.

The team already has a clear plan to reach even higher yields, targeting 24–25% on a consistent basis. They are preparing to expand production by building additional growing rooms, improving efficiency by switching from bags to blocks, and even developing a new direction — producing Phase 2 compost for other farms in the country.

Looking back, the biggest change was not just in the numbers. It was in clarity.

As Farhan says, the process became understandable.

And that understanding is what turns a struggling operation into a scalable business.