Mushroom Farming
Mission
Our mission for next five years is to develop 500 entrepreneurs cultivating Oyster Mushrooms, each with capacity up to 250 Bags at a time.
Average target is 100 entrepreneurs per year, or 500 over next five years.
Benefitting from Demographic Dividend
To capitalize on the Demographic Dividend that India is reaping, it is essential that youth is engaged making meaning contribution to growth of Indian economy. A good way is to become an entrepreneur, employ oneself, and employ others.
Why Mushrooms?
We have selected Mushroom Farming as the area to develop entrepreneurs. Consumption of Mushroom is very low in India (80 grams per capita per year, as against 22 kg in China*). It has good scope for growth. Secondly, it also addresses the need for additional proteins which are low in traditional Indian diet. Thirdly, Oyster Mushroom is selected as starting point, since it is easy to grow and globally it is widely consumed.
Stage 1
Activity: Formal Trainings in Growing Oyster Mushroom
Duration: 1 Month
Production: Nil
Stage 2
Activity: Apprenticeship under Businessman with experience in the Mushroom Farming (250 Bags)
Duration: 2 Months
Production: Nil
Stage 3
Activity: Independent Operation for Domestic consumption
Duration: 2 Months
Production: 10 Bags
Stage 4
Activity: Expansion to Commercial Level-A
Duration: 4 Months
Production: 50 Bags
Activity: Expansion to Commercial Level-B **
Duration: 4 Months
Production: 100 Bags
Activity: Expansion to Commercial Level-C
Duration: 4 Months
Production: 250 Bags
Guiding Youth to Entrepreneurship
Four-Stage Development Model for Mushroom Farming
We provide hands-on support to aspiring individuals through our structured Four-Stage Development Model for mushroom farming. This guided approach ensures they gain the skills, experience, and confidence needed to transition from learners to independent entrepreneurs. Our step-by-step mentoring empowers them to establish and sustain successful mushroom farming ventures.
** After Stage-4A, one can gradually get further trained & start growing other mushroom species like Oyster, Milky, Paddy straw, and Button – so that crops can be taken round the year without the need for air-conditioning.
Mentor to Hand-hold
Each mentor will guide 5 to 10 entrepreneurs, tracking their progress and providing encouragement during setbacks, periods of low motivation, or when lethargy sets in.
The mentor will be different from the experienced businessman under whom the prospective entrepreneur will complete the Stage-2 Apprenticeship.
Some Common Mushrooms Grown in India
White Button Mushrooms (Mushroom)
Agaricus bisporus
Season is Northern Plains: Oct to Feb
Oyster Mushrooms (Dingri)
Pleurotus ostreatus
Season is Northern Plains: Sep to May
Paddy Straw Mushroom (Para Phutoo)
Volvariella volvacea
Season is Northern Plains: Jul to Sep
Milky Mushroom (Dudhiya)
Calocybe indica
Season is Northern Plains: Jul to Sep,
Again Feb to Apr
For all-India details, see
वर्षभर मशरूम की खेती कै सेकरें, Uploaded by DMR SOLAN #Official, on Feb 25, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iwShaY0C2LM