MUSHROOM CULTIVATION
Mushroom Production Unit
Establishment Year: 2017
KVK Pal, Jalgaon-I
5 min read
Mushroom Production Unit | Low-Cost, High-Value Cultivation
The Mushroom Production Unit at KVK Pal was established in 2017 to demonstrate and promote scientific mushroom cultivation among farming communities.
Infrastructure
Climate-Controlled Hut/Cabin
Racks for spawn running, maintaining optimal temperature conditions for mushroom growth.
Cropping Rooms
Humidity control (80-90%) for proper fruiting body development.
Pasteurization Drums
For substrate pasteurization to eliminate contaminants.
Types of Mushrooms Demonstrated
Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus sajor-caju)
Grown on paddy straw, wheat straw, or cotton waste. Suitable for beginners.
Button Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus)
Grown on composted manure; requires more controlled temperature (22-25°C for spawn run, 16-18°C for cropping).
Production Process Demonstrated
Substrate Preparation
Spawning
Spawn Run
Cropping
Harvesting
- Substrate preparation: Chopping, soaking, pasteurization in hot water
- Spawning: Mixing mushroom spawn into substrate
- Spawn run: Incubation in dark, moist room for 15-20 days
- Cropping: Pinhead formation, fruiting body development
- Harvesting: Twist-pull method just before cap flattens
Training Programs
3-5 day vocational trainings covering:
- Low-cost mushroom farming techniques
- Spawn production methods
- Value addition (pickles, dried mushrooms, mushroom powder)
- Marketing strategies
Annual Production Capacity
500-1000 kg of fresh mushrooms per year for demonstration
Over 500 rural youth and farm women trained in 5 years; many have started small-scale mushroom units.
Beneficiary Impact
- Over 500 rural youth and farm women trained in 5 years
- Many have started small-scale mushroom units
- Income generation through mushroom farming
- Self-employment opportunities for rural youth and farm women
- Skill development in spawn production and cultivation