MushroomFarming Mushrooms in Himachal

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MushroomFarming Mushrooms in Himachal

Rajiv K. Phull              Cover Story

Mushroom farming is gaining popularity among farmers and youths in Himachal as the state offers congenial environment for its growth. Earlier, mushrooms were considered as a delicacy but now it seems to have invaded the food habits of Himachalies especially during winters when local grown mushrooms are available in abundance, feel experts. Earlier people used to grow different varieties of mushrooms to supplement their income but lately mushroom cultivation has been adopted at commercial level in different parts of the state. This has not only generated self employment opportunities for many youth but also engaged others in associated activities. In Himachal Solan has been given the title of ‘Mushroom City of India’ because of its industrialized mushroom cultivation. However, mushroom growers too face many problems including high input cost

Why Eat Mushrooms?

Mushrooms are source of quality protein having essential amino acids and high digestibility.

*   No cholesterol and low fat with ergosterol and polyunsaturated fatty acids : Good for Heart.

*   Low calorific food with no starch, low sugars : Delight of Diabetics.

*   High Fibre, low sodium-high potassium diet : Anti-Hypertensive.

*   Good source of vitamin B-complex and Vit C; only vegetable source of Vit D.

*   Rich in minerals like copper (cardio-protective) & Selenium (anti-cancer).

*   Anticancer, Anti-HIV, Anti-viral, Anti-histaminic, Hypo-cholesterolemic,Hepato-& Nephro-protective, Anti-oxident, stamina enhancer, etc.

Sr. No.      Infrastructure          Location

1.     A) Mushroom Compost        Solan-3,Kullu-1, Production Units : Kangra -2, Sirmaur -1

B) Spawn Units                     Solan- 2, Sirmaur-1, Palampur -1

Private Sector

2.      A) Mushroom Compost      Solan-21, Shimla -6, Sirmaur -3,

Production Units                    Una -1, Kangra -2, Mandi -2, Kullu-1, Hamirpur -1

B) Spawn Units                    Solan -7, Sirmaur -1

NRCM a Boon for Mushroom Growers

Bhupender Thakur

The National Centre for Mushroom Research and Training (NCMRT) came into existence at Solan, later renamed as National Research Centre for Mushroom in 1983 during the VIth Five Year Plan under the auspices of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). The Centre was formerly inaugurated on 21st June, 1987 by Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon, the then Union Minister for Agriculture and President of ICAR Society.  It was upgraded to Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) on December 26, 2008.  Established with the objective of undertaking research on all aspects of mushrooms and also to impart training to the trainers and growers, this centre is proving to be a boon for mushroom growers of Himachal as they look forward to it for all their problems.

Mandate:

*   To conduct mission-oriented and innovative research on all aspects of mushrooms

*   To act as the centre of academic excellence and repository of mushroom germplasm and information

*   To coordinate network research on location specific problems of national importance to achieve higher production and

productivity

*   To promote human resource development and transfer of technology

*   To provide technical support to the mushroom industry as well as to rural masses for poverty alleviation

Hybrid Seeds

Seeds of nearly two dozen varieties of mushrooms are prepared in NRCM centre located in Chambaghat. The centre is continuously doing research on hybrid mushroom seeds. According to available information mushroom growers can hope to get hybrid seed of white button mushroom variety in future. Hybrid seeds can be grown in lesser quantity of compost and the productivity of mushrooms will also increase. Researchers are focusing their work as to shorten the production time of hybrid seeds.

Training Programmes

Training programmes for farmers are being held by the NRCM, Dr. Y. S. Parmar University Horticulture and Forestry, Department of Horticulture and CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University from time to time. The participants are imparted training in different aspects of mushroom cultivation, including preparation of compost, mushroom rearing and marketing. In addition, special camps are also organized to solve problems of mushroom growers.

2000 Mushroom Growers in Himachal

Nearly 2,000 farmers are engaged in mushroom production in the state, including small, marginal and big growers. Himachal is producing nearly 6-7 tones of mushrooms daily. As there is a huge gap in demand and supply of mushrooms, these are also imported from neighbouring states also.

Tremendous Potential for Self Employment

Experts feel that mushroom growing avocation has tremendous scope for generating self employment. Since Himachal has congenial environment for mushroom production as compared to other states besides having a huge market, educated unemployed youths can be motivated to adopt this avocation to earn livelihood. A survey in the past had pointed that per capita consumption in the country is nearly 30-40gms daily.

*   2000 Mushroom Growers in Himachal

*   Daily production is 6-7 tones

*   Per capita consumption is 30-40 gms in India

Shortage of Compost

Compost producing units are located in entire state both in public and private sector, yet the farmers face problem in procuring compost at the right time for mushroom cultivation. Horticulture Department is also providing subsidy on compost for marginal farmers but it is available at a rate of Rs. 7 to Rs. 8 per kg from private producers.

*   Compost cost is Rs 8 per kg

*   Average selling price of mushrooms is Rs 100 to Rs. 125 per kg