Mushroom farming: What are the schemes related to mushroom cultivation in the mountains? What precautions should be taken? Know from Jagdish Bhatt

Mushroom cultivation schemes: The demand for protein-rich mushrooms is gradually increasing, but even today many farmers in the hilly areas are not aware of its production, due to which they are deprived of its profits. In such a situation, the Horticulture and Food Processing Department of Uttarakhand has taken the responsibility of promoting mushroom cultivation.

In Jyoalikot, Uttarakhand, work is being done to benefit the farmers through the Indo Dutch Mushroom Project. Its Chief Development Officer Jagdish Bhatt discussed in detail with Kisan of India correspondent Deepika Joshi about the various schemes being run by the government to promote mushroom production and the precautions to be taken in production.

Training to farmers on mushroom cultivation

Jagdish Bhatt says that even today many people in the hills do not eat mushrooms, because they are not aware of its nutritional value. In such a situation, we are trying to make them aware. Along with giving 3 days and 7 days training to farmers for mushroom production, we are also giving technical information. Jagdish Bhatt says that farmers can easily grow three types of mushrooms at home. Button mushroom, oyster mushroom and milky mushroom. Farmers can earn a good income by cultivating mushrooms throughout the year by taking care of the temperature.

Compost for button mushroom

Jagdish Bhatt says that the biggest problem in mushroom production is in making compost for button mushroom. Giving information about the Indo Dutch Mushroom Project, he says that this project is Netherlands based. Compost is prepared there. Spawn is also made available. Those who want to produce oyster and milky mushrooms, spawn is made available to them at 50 percent of the amount.

He further tells that button mushroom is quite popular in this area. For this, wheat straw is mainly used to make compost. Chicken manure is added to the wheat straw. It is then soaked on a platform. After which its heap is prepared. Then wheat bran, urea and gypsum are added to it. This process takes 20-25 days. Jagdish tells that he has foreign technology machines like turning and mixing machines, with the help of which heaps are made. After this, the heaps are put in the pasteurization tunnel. It is kept in it for 8 hours at a temperature of 50-60 degrees. Then it is supplied to the farmers.

Along with compost, spawn is also given to the farmers. He says that 6 kg of spawn is added to one ton of compost. Its mycelium spreads in 10-15 days. It spreads at a temperature of 22-25 degrees. This entire process is indoor. Then a 1.25 to 2 inch thick layer of casing soil made on top of coco peat is spread on the compost. Bags are made from it in which mushrooms are produced. The temperature should be 16-18 degrees for mushroom production. In this way, the crop is ready for harvesting in 2 months.

Which mushroom should be grown in which month?

Development Officer Jagdish Bhatt says that farmers can grow mushrooms throughout the year by keeping in mind the temperature in their area. In hilly areas, the month of September is good for the production of button mushrooms. At this time the outside temperature is up to 28, that is, the indoor temperature is found to be 22-25.

Bags should be prepared at this time, then for production, a temperature of 16-18 degrees is required which is available from October to January-February. In such a situation, it can be grown till February. Oyster mushrooms can be grown in March-April. At this time the temperature goes up to 30 degrees. When the temperature goes above this, i.e. 28 to 38 degrees, then milky mushroom can be produced.

Government schemes to increase mushroom production

Jagdish Bhatt says that to promote mushrooms, under the Indo Dutch Mushroom Project, Jyoalikot, we prepare products under ‘no loss no profit’ and give it to farmers at 50 percent subsidy. Apart from this, the department is giving up to 80 percent subsidy in many districts. We have three mushroom units for those who want to produce mushrooms commercially.

Production unit – Up to 40 percent subsidy is given on the loan obtained from the bank for setting up the production unit. But this amount cannot exceed 8 lakhs.

Compost production unit – In this also, up to 40 percent subsidy is given on bank loan.

Spawn making unit – Subsidy is given in this also but there is a limit of 15 lakhs. If the expenditure is more, then the farmer will have to bear it.

Process to avail the scheme

Explaining the process to those who want to avail the benefits of government schemes and subsidies, Jagdish says- 

This process starts from Solan. Solan in Himachal Pradesh has the biggest government project. The officials there prepare a project and give it to the farmer, with which the farmer goes to the bank and when the bank gives a consent letter that we are ready to give loan for your project. After that, after completing all the formalities, the farmers come to us. Then we visit the site and see if there is land in their name or not. After seeing everything, it is sent further to Dehradun. Where people from the central government come to the meeting, who select the farmers and then the subsidy is passed.

Things to keep in mind while starting a mushroom unit on a small scale

For those who want to cultivate mushrooms on a small scale, Jagdish Bhatt advises that to avoid losses, farmers must have an idea of ​​temperature, mushrooms should be grown according to the natural temperature. It is also important to identify compost, what should be its quality, which spawn should be taken, one should also know about this. All these things are told to them in the training. He further explains that mushrooms need to be sprayed regularly. If for some reason spraying is not done for 2 days or if there is a chicken coop nearby, then there is a possibility of damage.

How to apply for training in mushroom farming?

If someone wants to take training, he can give his phone number, address in any garden center. Garden department centers are everywhere. Groups of people are made according to the applications submitted in the center and then they are called for training by phone. There are 2 to 3 trainings in a month.