Complete Guide to Profitable Mushroom Farming in India; Read Composting & Harvesting Techniques
Mushroom farming is taking root as a lucrative agri-business in India, offering an opportunity for individuals to start with minimal investment and space. The cultivation of mushrooms is gradually gaining popularity as an alternative source of income. Globally, countries like China, the United States, Italy, and the Netherlands dominate mushroom production. In India, the top mushroom-producing states include Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, and Kerala.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the methods for cultivating three popular mushroom varieties: paddy straw mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and button mushrooms.
Different Types of Mushrooms
Mushrooms come in various types worldwide, including button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and paddy straw mushrooms, which are the primary varieties cultivated in India. Each type thrives under different conditions, making them suitable for distinct regions and seasons. Commercial mushroom farming relies on specific methods and techniques, often involving the use of specialized compost beds.
How to Grow Button Mushrooms
Button mushrooms are a popular choice among mushroom cultivators. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to grow them:
1. Making Compost
- Compost preparation is essential and involves the use of natural or synthetic compost materials.
- For synthetic compost, ingredients like wheat straw, bran, urea, calcium ammonium nitrate, and gypsum are used. Straw is cut into small pieces and mixed with other components.
- Natural compost includes horse dung, poultry manure, wheat straw, and gypsum. These materials are thoroughly mixed, moistened, and fermented.
2. Filling the Compost in Trays
- Softwood trays, typically 15 to 18 cm deep, are filled with the prepared compost.
- The compost should have the right moisture content, neither too wet nor too dry.
3. Spawning
- Mushroom mycelium is sown into the beds using spawns, which can be obtained from certified laboratories.
- Spawning can be done by scattering the compost on the bed surface or by mixing grain spawn with compost before filling the trays.
- The trays are covered with old newspapers to maintain moisture and humidity.
4. Casing
- Casing soil is created by mixing crushed cow dung with garden soil, ensuring an alkaline pH.
- The casing soil is sterilized to eliminate pests, nematodes, insects, and molds.
- After sterilization, the casing soil is spread over the compost, and temperature and ventilation are carefully maintained.
5. Cropping and Harvesting
- Mushrooms start growing after the casing stage, with pinheads becoming visible.
- Harvesting begins when the caps are tightly attached to the short stems.
- Mushrooms are gently twisted off during harvesting, and the base is trimmed.
How to Grow Paddy Straw Mushrooms
Paddy straw mushrooms thrive in South-east Asia and are known for their delicious taste. Here’s how to grow them:
1. Spawning
- Paddy straw mushrooms are spawned on chopped, soaked paddy straws or cereal grains.
- Straws are bundled, soaked, and drained before use.
2. Bed Preparation
- Raised platforms are constructed using bricks and soil.
- Straw bundles are laid on the frame, and grain spawn is scattered.
- The bed is covered with a transparent plastic sheet without touching the straw.
3. Mushrooming and Harvesting
- Mushrooms typically begin to grow within 10 to 15 days.
- Harvesting occurs once the volva erupts and the mushrooms are exposed, ensuring freshness.
How to Grow Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushrooms thrive in moderate temperatures and high humidity. Here’s how to cultivate them:
1. Preparation of Spawn
- Oyster mushroom spawn is prepared using suitable agro-wastes rich in cellulose and lignin.
- These substrates include paddy straw, wheat/ragi straw, stalks and leaves of various crops, sawdust, and more.
2. Substrate Preparation
- The chosen substrate is prepared for spawning by sterilization and moisture adjustment.
3. Spawning of Substrate
- The spawn is mixed with the prepared substrate, and proper humidity and temperature conditions are maintained.
4. Crop Management
- Oyster mushrooms grow over several months, with suitable conditions adjusted according to the season and location.
- Various agricultural and industrial waste materials can be used as substrates for cultivation.
Mushroom farming holds tremendous potential as a profitable venture in India, offering diverse opportunities for growers. By following the appropriate techniques for each mushroom variety, individuals can embark on a rewarding journey in the thriving world of mushroom cultivation.
