Suhail Bhat
SRINAGAR, Feb 5: After a spinal cord injury left him bedridden with limited mobility in his lower limbs, Muhammad Zubair from Srinagar’s Fatah Kadal area has defied the odds by launching an innovative mealworm farming from his bedroom, turning his struggle into an inspiration.
Zubair, once a successful businessman, faced severe challenges after an accident confined him to his home. Multiple surgeries failed to restore his mobility, drastically affecting his livelihood and leading him into debt.
Refusing to give up, Zubair searched for alternative ways to support his family and came across mealworm farming-something he had no prior knowledge of.
“In 2013, I went for my first surgery and in 2023, I underwent spine surgery and was recovering well until 2024. I have to go for another surgery soon. Since I could not leave home, I decided to start a business from my room,” Zubair said. Determined to make it work, he imported 1,000 mealworms from the United States and began breeding them.
Mealworms, he explained, are a sustainable and chemical-free alternative for poultry and fish rearing feed. “Chicken and poultry farmers use them. Mealworms sell for Rs 3-4 per worm. Unlike traditional poultry feed, they do not contain harmful chemicals,” he said.
Despite his physical limitations, Zubair has expanded his business and is now seeking official registration at Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST). “The people there appreciated my work and assured me of further support after registration,” he said.
His journey, however, has not been easy. Learning about mealworm farming while battling health issues was challenging, but his determination kept him going. “I had no idea about worm farming, but I researched, experimented, and kept learning. Now, I am hopeful this will become a stable source of income,” he said.
Zubair now hopes for government support to further grow his venture. “I want the authorities to recognize my work and help me expand this business,” he said.
Explaining the nutritional benefits of mealworms, he said they are a good source of protein. “There are four stages of transformation for these worms-egg, larva (worm), pupa, and adult. The adults are beetles that can be bred, but the worms can be eaten and are also used as poultry feed. They are nutritious and good for the environment without any harmful effects,” he said.
From battling his illness in isolation, Zubair’s new venture has brought him attention, as visitors come to see how he is managing the worms and turning them into profit-something unheard of in the Valley. “I hope this will help me support my family in a more respectable way, and that too from my home, without having to move around,” he said.
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