Addressing Technological Gaps in Mushroom Farming: A Problem-Solving Approach Through Coping Mechanisms and Demonstration.

Mushroom farming holds transformative potential for rural livelihoods, especially among women and landless laborers.

Mushroom farming is gaining recognition as a sustainable, income-generating activity for rural households across India. With the ability to be grown in small spaces, requiring minimal land, and offering high nutritional value, mushrooms like button, oyster, and milky mushrooms are increasingly being cultivated by smallholder farmers. However, despite this potential, the sector faces considerable technological gaps, especially at the grassroots level. A problem-solving approach, combining coping mechanisms and demonstration-based learning, is key to transforming mushroom cultivation into a scalable rural enterprise.

Technological Gaps in Mushroom Farming: A Ground Reality

A recent study by the National Horticulture Board (2023) indicates that only 15–20% of small-scale mushroom growers in India have access to proper training and scientific knowledge about cultivation. The major technological gaps include:

Knowledge Deficit: In a field survey conducted in Chhattisgarh (2024) covering 200 mushroom farmers across Raipur, Dhamtari, and Bilaspur districts, it was found that:

72% had not received any formal training in mushroom cultivation.
68% were unaware of temperature and humidity management.
56% used traditional methods without standard hygiene or sterilization.

Spawn Quality and Input Issues:

63% of respondents cited poor-quality spawn as a recurring problem.
Many relied on spawn bought from local, unverified sources, leading to reduced yield and contamination.

Infrastructure Constraints:

Only 22% of farmers had access to proper growing rooms or environmental control systems.
Lack of cold storage and post-harvest management facilities led to 20–30% spoilage, particularly for button mushrooms.

Marketing and Awareness:

80% of farmers sold their produce locally, often at prices 30–40% below the market rate due to lack of market access and bargaining power.

Coping Mechanisms: Grassroots Solutions to Practical Problems

To overcome these barriers, several coping strategies are being adopted in different regions:

Skill Development and Training:

The Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Durg, trained over 600 rural youth and women in mushroom farming in 2023–24. Their approach involved short-term, hands-on workshops focusing on oyster and milky mushroom production.

Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs):

In the Bemetara district, an SHG of 15 women started mushroom cultivation with financial support from the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM). Within 6 months, their average monthly income rose from ₹2,500 to ₹8,000 per member.

Government Schemes:

The MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture) and RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) offer up to ₹50,000 per unit for infrastructure support and training. However, awareness and accessibility of these schemes remain limited.

Mobile Advisory Services:

In 2024, the "Mushroom Dost" mobile app launched by a Raipur-based agri-startup provided real-time support on climate control, pest management, and market trends, benefiting more than 4,000 mushroom growers in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Demonstration: Translating Knowledge into Practice

Demonstration plots serve as vital platforms for showcasing successful mushroom cultivation techniques. For instance:

The Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (IGKV), Raipur, established model mushroom units in 3 villages, training 150 farmers. Results showed a 40% increase in yield and improved adoption of scientific techniques.
One such farmer, Sushila Sahu from Rajnandgaon, adopted improved oyster mushroom techniques after observing a demo plot and increased her seasonal yield from 60 kg to 110 kg, fetching ₹13,200 from a single cycle.

Demonstrations enable visual learning, reduce fear of failure, and promote confidence among first-time farmers. Moreover, community-level participation accelerates technology transfer and peer learning.

Conclusion: A Way Forward for Inclusive Growth

Mushroom farming holds transformative potential for rural livelihoods, especially among women and landless laborers. However, for this potential to be fully realized, the technological, infrastructural, and educational gaps must be systematically addressed.

A dual approach coping mechanisms (like training, group formation, and mobile advisory) combined with demonstration has shown promising results in states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Scaling up such models through public-private partnerships, digital platforms, and decentralized extension systems can unlock the full value of mushroom cultivation.

Empowering farmers with the right knowledge, tools, and platforms will not only boost production and income but also contribute to food security, entrepreneurship, and rural employment in a sustainable manner.