Spore-tacular success: Mushroom cultivation takes Himachal by storm

In a major stride towards rural economic development, the Department of Plant Pathology at the College of Forestry and Horticulture has emerged as a catalyst for change by promoting oyster and button mushroom cultivation among farmers in the western region of Himachal Pradesh. The college, a key extension unit of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni (Solan), is actively supporting local growers with mushroom spawn, training and technical guidance.

Dr RK Mandradia, Head of the Department, said the college has supplied 1,500 spawn-run compost bags of white button mushrooms and over 4,000 bags of oyster mushrooms to various parts of Chamba district. In addition, around four quintals of mushroom spawn have been prepared and distributed to local growers to ensure quality and productivity.

The initiative is also aligned with the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan, under which 174 farmers from adjoining gram panchayats have been trained in mushroom production techniques. These farmers were also provided with spawn-run bags to encourage adoption and generate sustainable income.

Narender Kumar, a trainee from the Kihar area, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “I was surprised at how simple mushroom farming is. It not only looks manageable but also holds great promise for income generation.” Another farmer from Rakh expressed his intention to scale up mushroom production, calling it a pathway to prosperity for his family.

The department’s efforts go beyond common varieties. Dr RS Jarial, Senior Scientist, has introduced several new edible and medicinal mushroom species to the region, including Pleurotus eous, P flabellatus, P fossulatus, P eryngii, P citrinopileatus, P membraneceous, P cornucopiae, Hypsizygus ulmarius, Hericium erinaceous, Grifola fondosa, Lentinus edodes and Trametes versicolor. Dr Jarial noted that ongoing research is focused on conserving and cultivating rare or near-extinct mushroom species with high nutritional or therapeutic value.

To support this expansion, the college has recently established a dedicated mushroom production unit, which includes a compost yard, spawn production laboratory and crop production rooms. The department has also begun producing button mushroom compost using traditional long composting methods, adding a sustainable, cost-effective layer to production.

Dr DP Sharma, Dean of the University, said the college is working on enhancing the research and development infrastructure of the mushroom laboratory. “More facilities are being planned to strengthen training for both scientists and students,” he stated, affirming the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture.

With this initiative, the College of Forestry and Horticulture is not only reviving interest in alternative agriculture but also empowering rural communities with skills and resources that can transform their economic landscape.

Himachal Tribune