Why Is Mushroom Farming A Profitable Agricultural Business In India?

Do you love mushroom recipes?

Well, let me tell you, they not only taste good, but also, can earn you huge profits!

Wondering how?

Mushroom farming is one of the major global agricultural practices with an annual growth rate of 8 to 10%.

Also, the average quantity of annual mushroom production in the world will blow your mind! It is approximately 4 million tons of mushrooms. Isn’t that huge?

Now, comes the real question!

How to start this & why is it a lucrative farming business to invest in?

That’s exactly what I am going to explain in this guide. And I promise that you will get all the answers to your questions by the end.

What is Mushroom Farming?

This is one of the best farming industries in the world. According to the latest estimations, it will be worth 3.78 Lakh Crores in the next 7 years!

It is the process of cultivating mushrooms & they act as the key raw materials in medicinal & construction material industries. 

Usually, the process relies on photosynthesis. However, other environmental supplies like darkness, limited sunlight, humidity, and others also play crucial roles in this. 

Champignon, jelly fungi, winter mushrooms, oak & button mushrooms are some of the popular commercially grown fungi. 

The Popular Regions For Mushroom Farming In India

Did you know China is the largest global producer of fungi? However, there are other countries as well known for mushroom cultivation. 

To your surprise, ancient Egypt was the major production hub of mushrooms. Today, Creekside Mushrooms is the largest farm of mushroom cultivation in the world. Apart from this, USA’s Portobellos supplies around 90% of the nation’s total mushroom production. 

North America’s top mushroom cultivation cities include Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, California, Michigan, & Florida. Also, Illinois, Texas, Utah, Florida, New York, Tennessee, etc. are famous for mushroom cultivation.

Moreover, other European countries like Poland, Belgium, Germany, the UK, Russia, and France also cultivate mushrooms.

6 Steps of Mushroom Farming

Mushroom Compost

In this phase, producers mix up the wet composting ingredients to regulate water & NH3. This microbial process results in the reproduction of microorganisms.

Finishing The Compost

The pasteurization process destroys the insects & the producers remove the ammonia to condition the compost at this phase. 

Spawning

This is the most vital step!

In this producers introduce mycelium to the compost that acts as substrates for the growth of mushrooms. 

Casing

Now, the farmers cover the compost with thin sterile material for speedy transitions & reproduction.

Pinning

At this stage, the mycelium forms small different structures. They are pins or mushroom primordia that gradually take the form of mature mushrooms. 

Cropping

This is the final stage of mushroom cultivation because in this phase the substrates raise mature mushrooms.

3 Popular Techniques For Modern Mushroom Farming

Outdoor Logs

This technique grows commercially sold mushrooms on outdoor logs in piles and stocks. However, the productivity in this case is quite unpredictable & does not involve sterilization. 

Indoor Trays

This technique was first involved in France & later, the UK inhabitants started to practice it for growing mushrooms. In short, this particular method can grow mushrooms indoors with precise control over light, humidity, & temperature, etc.

Indoor Oyster

The oyster mushrooms are in high market demand. Mostly farmers grow mushrooms in indoor boxes & substrates made of wheat, coffee grounds, & paddy straws, etc.

4 Basic Requirements for Mushroom Farming

Location

Look for an enclosed space where you can control the temperature level & humidity.

Substrates

You can use different growing mediums as substrates made of easily available components. For example, compost, sawdust, coffee grounds, & straw can be excellent options for this. However, you can also use corncobs, cottonseed hulls, soybean meal, wood chips, brewer’s grain, etc. as substrates. 

pH Level

Usually, an acidic environment with pH levels of 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal for mushroom growth. 

Pest & Disease Control

Parasites & insects like phorid flies, Pseudomonas, Trichoderma, etc. might result in production failure. So, the cultivators need to be aware of these bacterial attacks & prevent them on time.  

6 Basic Steps to Start Mushroom Farming

Find The Right Location

Cultivating mushrooms is possible even in a small room measuring 20*20 feet. However, I suggest renting a small building that can generate mushrooms in large quantities. 

Gather Knowledge

To be successful in farming mushrooms, you should learn about mushroom cultivation techniques. Also, adequate market research can help you identify potential buyers.

Gather Spawns & Raw Material

To start your cultivation journey, you need to purchase the spawns & other equipment like plastic bags, wood chips, buckets, etc. I will suggest you invest a bit more & create your spawns instead of purchasing using sterile cultures. 

4 Advantages of Mushroom Farming

Food Security

This is a low-cost & sustainable farming process to produce food products rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, & other nutritional components. 

Low Investment

The initial investment for mushroom farms is relatively low. Also, you can earn increased profit due to all-year mushroom production & shorter cultivation periods of only 20 to 45 days.

Commercial Industries

The supply of mushrooms is vital for several therapeutic & processed food industries. So, they have significantly high market values. 

Employment Opportunities

People in your locality will get profitable job opportunities if involved. 

 2 Challenges in Mushroom Farming

Environmental Factors

Managing & adjusting the factors like right temperature, humidity, ventilation system, etc. can be challenging sometimes. 

Lack of Proper Infrastructure

The success of mushroom cultivation demands proper pest control, disease prevention, energy supplies, & a good transportation system, etc. 

The Role of Training in The Development of Mushroom Farming

Since it is a high revenue-generating agricultural practice, several European companies train entrepreneurs in mushroom cultivation. Also, by joining the workshops & courses, you can learn more about large-scale farming, lab work, & production of spawns.

According to me, you can attend training events & connect with the social media community members keen to learn this. This way, you can gather more important data about the farming process, and the latest research findings, & share your thoughts.

The best thing will be attending the events organized by the International Society for Mushroom Science every five years. You can learn mind-blowing facts about mushroom cultivation & that’s my promise to you!

The Scopes & Growth of Mushroom Farming In India

Can you believe that the demand for mushrooms in India is increasing at the rate of 25%?

Yes, you heard it right! However, despite such a huge demand, the global share percentage of mushroom exports from India is less than 1.

However, it is in high market demand not only because of its high nutritional content but due to its microorganisms. Mushroom cultivators can use green waste as highly potent compost for its optimal growth.

The Indian Government offers various schemes & funding programs to promote this farming. Also, partnering with reputed international organizations will help Indian farming initiatives & foreign investments to a large extent. 

Frequently Asked Questions