Patna: Bihar has become the leading state in mushroom production in India, surpassing Odisha to take the top position. While China remains the biggest producer of mushrooms in the world, Bihar has strengthened its place in the Indian market. According to the Directorate of Mushroom Research in Solan, Bihar now contributes 11% of India’s total mushroom output. In 2010, the state produced only 400 tonnes of button mushrooms and 80 tonnes of oyster mushrooms. Today, total production has increased to more than 41,000 tonnes, showing how quickly the sector has grown.
The rapid rise in mushroom cultivation is supported by strong government schemes. The Bihar government is giving subsidies of 50% to 90% on mushroom kits and the construction of mushroom huts. Women farmers are also getting priority under these schemes. Between 60,000 and 70,000 farmers in the state are currently growing button, oyster and milky mushrooms. Dr Rajendra Prasad University in Samastipur is playing an important role by training farmers and helping them learn modern mushroom farming techniques.
Gaya district has become a major centre for mushroom production. District Horticulture Officer Tabassum Parveen said that under the Har Ghar Mushroom Yojana, four to five families in almost every village are now involved in mushroom cultivation. Farming is active in places such as Wazirganj, Konch, Manpur, Bodhgaya and Imamganj. The mushrooms grown in Gaya are being supplied to big markets in cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Ranchi and Jamshedpur.
The growth of the sector has also created inspiring success stories. One such example is Prakash Rai from Kuchaykot in Gopalganj. A science graduate, he left his private job during the COVID-19 pandemic and started mushroom farming. Before beginning, he studied the market and production system. With support from the Mushroom Production Scheme, he received a subsidy of Rs 1,89,750 for building a mushroom hut. His efforts earned him the first Button Mushroom Award from the Horticulture Directorate in Patna.
Another successful farmer is Rajiv Ranjan from Hajipur in Vaishali. After completing engineering studies, he worked for a multinational company in Pune. Ten years ago, he left his job and began cultivating button mushrooms. Rajiv learned about mushroom farming during a trip to Denmark. Today, he has become a wholesaler and supplies nearly five quintals of mushrooms every day to Patna’s Mithapur market. His journey has encouraged many others to consider mushroom farming as a profitable option.
