Starting Mushroom Farming in India | Investment | Marketing | Profit | Scheme.
Updated: Apr 14, 2021
Mushroom Farming in India
Mushroom farming is the most profitable agribusiness around the world. It requires less space and low investments. Moreover, it also requires less labor. Mushroom farming in India is growing at a tremendous amount and it is an alternate source of income for farmers and other people in India. Mushroom cultivation business provides a good margin for farmers and other people. , Around the world, China, Netherlands, USA, and Italy are major producers of mushrooms.
Mushroom production in India has grown an enormous amount in the last ten year. Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Kerala are major producer states in India for Mushroom farming.
Nutritional Value of Mushrooms
Mushrooms are also rich in vitamin content like vitamin B, C, vitamin D, riboflavin, thiamine nicotinic acid.
Mushrooms also have anti-cancer properties. Ganoderma lucidum and lingzhi are the Mushrooms which is well now for their medicinal properties. Ganoderma Mushroom have shown following medicinal benefit for human:
Anti-Cancer properties.
Boost Immune System.
Fight Fatigue and Depression.
Good for Heart Health.
Good for Blood Sugar Control.
Rich in Anti-Oxidant.
All other mushrooms also have the same properties but only a few are considered as edible mushroom and others are poisonous. But Ganoderma Mushroom has an excellent amount of medical content in it.
List of Edible Mushroom
Around the world different type mushroom are available and consider as edible mushroom.
1. Button Mushrooms
Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is also Knows as baby mushroom , white mushroom, common mushroom and champignon mushroom. Cultivation of Button mushroom is done at large scale around the world. Small, Medium and Large farms are available around the world for commercial production of a button mushroom.
Button mushroom is mainly used as a source of food. Different types of button mushroom recipes are available online.
2. Cremini Mushrooms
Cremini Mushrooms is the original button mushroom, previously button very brown in color naturally and it has been clone by a farmer where he found a new variety of this mushroom which were white in color.
3. Portobello Mushrooms
Portobello Mushrooms is fully grown version of button mushroom and Cremini Mushroom.
This Mushroom is used in burger and grill recipes of mushroom.
4. Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster Mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) is also known as pearl oyster mushroom or tree oyster mushroom. This Mushroom was commercial started growing in Germany from World War 2. In India this rank second after button mushroom in commercial production.
Oyster Mushrooms is also gaining popularity in India and its demand is going to increase in the coming years. Oyster Mushrooms farming is the best option for starting small scale farms in India.
5. King Oyster Mushrooms
King Oyster Mushrooms ( Pleurotus eryngii ) is an edible mushroom grown in Mediterranean regions of Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. It is also grown in many parts of Asia.
Common Name for King Oyster Mushroom is French horn mushroom, king brown mushroom, trumpet royale.
King Oyster Mushroom has a meaty texture and umami flavor and used as a dietary source of food.
6. Chanterelle Mushrooms
Chanterelle Mushroom is wild edible mushrooms. They are found in yellow, orange, or white in color. Chanterelle Mushroom has a longer shelf life of 10 days as compared to other mushrooms.
Chanterelle Mushroom cultivation is still at a very dormant stage in India. But this mushroom has a very good market in the USA and Canada. Also this mushroom is best for India farmer or entrepreneurs. One can start it in India only if he able to export it to USA or Canada.
7. Cordycepin mushroom
Cordycepin mushroom belongs to mushroom family Clavicipitaceae. Cordyceps militaris is famous in Asia for medical purposes. It has gained its popularity due to the compound present in it knows
Cordycepin. Cordyceps militaris mushroom farming is new in India and has a very good market in the future. This can be a great opportunity for a farmer or any individuals who want to start this business.If you want to start farming for this kind of mushroom at commercial level, one should take proper training from a reputed institute.
How to Start Button Mushroom farming ?
Investment in starting Button Mushroom farm is best as it has a huge demand in the Indian market and as well as the export market around the world. One cant starts a farm from a small space like around 500 to 1000 sq ft. Since Button Mushroom is a winter crop it needs a temperature around 15-19 degrees Celsius. In India, Button Mushroom farming is either done in Winter Season or can be done in a Temperature Control environment throughout the year.
Area Preparation: To start a small Button Mushroom Farm you need around 500 to 1000 sq area, we need a clean and well-ventilated nature of room and as well humidity. The steel rack is best suitable for the long run, but the bamboo rack can also be used.
The bamboo rack comes at a low cost whereas the cost for the steel rack will higher. Mushroom farming requires a bacteria-free environment as it can get easily get infected by harmful bacteria. The cost for steel rack and AC will be around 1 lac - 4 lac, depending upon the size of the rack. Variable room temperature is required at different stages of the button mushroom growth cycle.
Selection of Spawn: Always buy a good quality of Spawn and purchase it from a trusted source only. The best quality of spawn gives higher mushroom yield.
Compost: Button Mushroom generally feeds on compost for its growth. Compost is of two types: Natural and synthetic mushroom. Natural Compost is used in organic button mushroom farming. Always select the best quality of compost for mushroom farming, as it will give the best yield of mushroom. Purchasing a low-quality compost can led to a loss of business.
You can prepare compost by your self or you can purchase it from a vendor that supplies it with spawn.
Disclaimer: Before Starting a mushroom farm, kindly take complete training from a reputed Institute.