Mushroom cultivation : A remunerative enterprise for marginal and landless farmers

Abstract

The ICAR's Farmer FIRST Programme, implemented in the Dharer Panchayat of Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, has significantly impacted the livelihoods of landless and marginal farmers by introducing mushroom cultivation. With limited income from traditional crops, farmers were trained in modern agricultural practices as well as small-scale mushroom farming, which proved highly profitable. Through training camps and exposure visits, farmers learned about white button mushroom cultivation, leading to the establishment of 78 mushroom units with support in training, supplies, and technical guidance. The average yield per bag was 5.12 kg, and the benefit-cost ratio ranged from 3.45 to 4.48. Farmers have since expanded mushroom cultivation into a profitable enterprise, with support from the State Department of Horticulture for construction of mushroom houses and supplies. Mushroom cultivation has become a sustainable income source, especially for farm women, who are also preparing value-added products during market surplus periods.