What is mushroom -

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of some members of a lower group of plants
known as fungi. The fungi are characterized by the absence of chlorophyll and
undifferentiated bodies except the spore bearing structures. The fruiting bodies,
mushrooms, are fleshy spore bearing structures of the fungi.

❖ Major export destinations are US-UAE,ISRAEL

❖ Mushroom belong to family Agricaceae of the class Basidomycetes

❖ Eulogized as-Delight of diabetic or land saving husbandry ,Vegetarian meat or

meat of vegetable kingdome.

History of mushroom cultivation-

Even though, man started agriculture 10,000 years ago, the cultivation of mushrooms
is a relatively new phenomenon and has picked up across the globe only in the last
century that has witnessed newer innovations and applications. The Chinese were
reportedly the first to artificially cultivate tropical and sub-tropical mushrooms
thousands of years back, but commercial production started in Europe with button
mushrooms in caves during 16th and 17th centuries

Worldwide more than 3000 mushrooms have been identified as edible, of which
200types are reported to have been produced under controlled conditions. However,
not more than 60 varieties are being grown widely. There are about a dozen varieties
which are cultivated on commercial scale. India is home to more than 300 varieties of
mushrooms found in the wild.

Nutritional value Mushroom-

% Daily Value*
Potassium 318 mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 3.3 g 1%
Dietary fiber 1 g 4%
Sugar 2 g
 Protein 3.1 g 6%
Vitamin C 3% Calcium 0%
Iron 2% Vitamin D 1%
Vitamin B6 5% Cobalamin 0%
Magnesium 2%

Types of Mushrooms

The major mushroom varieties of commercial importance are

Button (Agaricus bisporus, A. bitorquis),

Oyster–Dhingri (Pleurotus sp.),

Paddy Straw (Volvariella sp.),

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes),

Milky Mushroom (Calocybe indica),

Winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes),

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum),

Black Ear (Auricularia sp.)

In India, three types, namely Button, oyster and straw mushroom are
extensively cultivated on commercial scale.

Button: It is most popular variety both in the domestic and export market and ranks
first in terms of production and consumption. It is grown both by seasonal growers in
low-cost structures as well in environment controlled units. Both the production
systems viz., seasonal and controlled environment growing is in vogue throughout the
country. The button mushroom is grown throughout the country, with Punjab,
Haryana, UP, Uttrakhand, Himachal and Tamilnadu contributing significantly to the
national production.
Oyster: This mushroom, commonly called Dhingri, is suitable for the temperate, sub -
tropical and tropical regions of our country. The regions suitable for button mushroom
are equally suitable for this mushroom. This type of mushroom is generally dried and
exported. This has tremendous potential as it can be grown on a variety of substrates
under varied conditions. The production technology is relatively simple with low
production costs. India produces annually about 10000 tons of this mushroom. The
Oyster is widely cultivated in states of Orissa, Andhra, Karnataka, Maharashtra,
Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and North-Eastern states. Punjab and Tamilnadu are
the leading producers of this type on commercial scale.

Paddy Straw: This variety is suitable for sub-tropical regions of the country. There
are more than 19 edible varieties of this species, of which cultivation methods of only
three species, have been developed. This mushroom is very popular for its taste and
flavor in the Eastern and Southern India, especially in the coastal region and
extensively cultivated in Orissa. It can be grown in temperate regions by maintaining
3 temperature conditions. Its potential remains under exploited despite abundant
availability of paddy straw and highly suited environmental conditions.

Important verities -

Button –Ooty-1,2 [Good keeping quality],S-11,X-13,DMR-U-3

Oyster-Ooty-1

Pink oyster mushroom –APK-1

ELM Oyester mushroom-CO-2

Status of mushroom cultivation

MARKETING OF MUSHROOM

Marketing of mushrooms in India is not yet organized. It is the simple system of

producers selling directly to retailer or even to consumer, which has its own
limitations.

The major quantity of Himachal mushroom is consumed in plains of Punjab, Haryana

and Delhi during Oct-Nov and Feb-May or in the local markets catering mainly to
the hospitality industry.

During Dec-January, the produce from the plain areas also arrives in markets
The cultivation of white button mushrooms throughout the year under controlled
condition is restricted to few commercial units and 25-30% of the production is being
done under natural conditions during the winter.

All the problems of marketing is experienced in 2-3 winter months (Dec-Feb) when
more than 75% of the annual production comes in market for sale in limited duration
and market area.

Post-Harvest Management practices for effective marketing

✓ Grading& Packing

✓ Storage

✓ Processing

✓ Canning

✓ Drying

✓ Pickling

Grading& Packing- The button mushrooms are graded into Grade A, B and C as per
DMI standards. Packing is essential to protect the mushroom during marketing and
generally packed in polythene bags for local markets

Storage- Pre-cooling of mushroom kept in a plastic bag is done before storage in

cooling unit. Vacuum cooling, another technology being adopted, is a costly process
and involves inevitable loss of fresh weight.

Processing- Due to highly perishable nature, preservation of mushrooms is necessary

to minimize the post-harvest losses. The processing techniques such as Canning,
Individual Quick Freezing, Vacuum Freeze Drying, Drying, Pickling, Steeping
Preservation etc. ought to be employed, based on their merits, market demand and end
use

Canning- Canning is an established process of preserving mushroom pieces in brine,

butter, oil, vinegar etc. The mushrooms are graded, cleaned, blanched (pre-cooked),
filled in brine solution of cans and ultimately sterilized with heat and cooled before
storage

Drying- Drying is an age-old practice of preserving mushrooms. Sun drying,

mechanical drying, air drying, micro-wave oven drying, etc. have been developed
with the advancement of technology.

Pickling- Pickling of mushroom is also a popular method of preserving, an

economically viable way during the surplus periods

State Government Initiatives for Mushroom Development-

❖ Mushroom development initiatives under the state sector have the following
objectives: -

1. To provide training facilities in mushroom cultivation for prospective

mushroom growers.

2. To provide extension services to the mushroom growers.

3. To demonstrate the production techniques of mushroom cultivation.

4. To provide consultancy services to cooperative and private sector for setting up

of mushroom production and processing units.

To develop suitable marketing and processing channels for the industry

❖ Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan:

❖ DMR, based at Chambaghat, Solan, an institution of Indian Council of
Agricultural Research, has been spearheading research and development work
on a variety of mushrooms.

The Center has been providing following comprehensive services to the

entrepreneurs/ growers-

❖ Training of entrepreneurs/growers

❖ ii) Consultancy services for preparation of Techno-Economic Feasibility

Reports
 ❖ iii) Testing of Compost, other ingredients for quality

❖ iv) Advisory services like farm designing, crop management etc.

❖ v) Sale of culture, spawn of improved strains

❖ vi) Extension services like organization of Mushroom Mela, exhibitions,

publication of leaflets/ brochures

SWOT ANALYSIS-

SWOT analysis for mushroom industry in Himachal Pradesh is attempted below. This
analysis is not designed to determine whether an enterprise or activity is “good” or
“bad”, but just as a tool to identify the different forces acting on the industry at the
given juncture.

❖ Strengths-

❖ Varied Agro-climatic Conditions:

❖ Well established infrastructure facilities:

❖ Booming Domestic demand:

Good R&D and extension network

Weaknesses:

❖ Unorganised Market

❖ Scanty Post Harvest Management

❖ Costly Raw material

❖ High Capital Cost

Opportunities-

• Growing Market

• Synergy with govt. priorities

• Cost effective appropriate technologies

Threats:-

❖ Slow adoption of technology: There is vast scope for the mushroom industry
to adopt modern technology to meet the quality standards specifically for
international trade and productivity level.

❖ Rising Costs of production: The days of seemingly cheap labour may not
continue in future. The units operating in urban areas have started experiencing
labour shortage. This may require more mechanization/ automation of
operations in commercial units.

❖ Changing Consumer preferences: The share of button mushroom has started

declining in the world trade with availability and preference for specialty
mushrooms. The necessary adjustments or corrective measures have to be
anticipated and adopted.