Chitralekha bought a packet of mushroom spawns (seeds) and paddy straw for ₹35 from her friend and began oyster mushroom cultivation in her house. Today, her farm in Kannur, Kerala has 2,000 beds producing oyster mushrooms, spawns, and value-added products, clocking revenues of ₹1.5 lakh per month. She also trains people for free in mushroom farming.