https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How Bihar Became the Highest Producer of Mushrooms in India 

Indian Masterminds Stories

The spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus known as Mushrooms or Toadstool is one of the most commonly consumed food items in our country. From homes to street food and big hotels, all of these have several options for mushrooms on their menu. Considering the likeness for mushrooms among people and the returns received from their farming, the state as well as the Union Government have been taking steps to encourage & promote mushroom farming in India. 

As a result of a decade-long expedition, Bihar has become the largest producer of mushrooms in the country. The state is contributing 10% of the total production in the country. National Horticulture Board has also recognized this feat of Bihar. According to their data mushroom production in the state crossed 28000 tonnes in 2021-2022.

During a conversation with Indian Masterminds, Mr. Nand Kishore, IFS, who is currently posted as the Director of Horticulture-Cum-Mission Director in Bihar, talked about the steps that helped the state to become the largest producer of mushrooms. 

A DECADE LONG EFFORT

Integrated Development of Horticulture, Bihar has been working on three levels to help the farmers produce the best mushrooms. “Around 2012, we analyzed the air condition in which mushrooms can grow the best. Keeping that in mind, we started distributing mushroom units at subsidized rates to the farmers. This step was taken for the most commonly consumed white button mushrooms”, said Mr. Kishore. 

He also mentioned that subsidy was not only limited to the mushroom units but all the requisite required for mushroom production – from compost production to spawning. 

With subsidies on all levels, Bihar started to produce mushrooms year-round. Apart from this, the government also took steps to grow oyster mushrooms in the state. Around 3-4 years back, a campaign was launched and mushroom bags were distributed among the landless farmers too. As a result, Bihar saw a ‘mushroom revolution’ and thousands of houses started producing them for their consumption and market as well. 

The Horticulture department also introduced Mushroom huts for the growth of button as well as oyster mushroom. As a result, the state saw unexpected results in this area. As of now, Patna, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Gaya, and Nalanda are the largest producers. They are also exporting it to the nearby states which include West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh & Punjab. 

FOCUS ON PROCESSING & STORAGE 

The shelf life of mushrooms, especially the oyster mushroom is too low. Talking about it, Mr. Kishore said, “It can’t be stored in cold storage for too long. The farmers are under pressure to market it as soon as they get the yield. With the help of Rajendra Nagar Agriculture University, we have already started teaching the farmers how to process the mushroom and store it for long. Many are already practicing it by drying the mushroom & using it to make biscuits, pickles, etc. Further, we are planning on taking the processing ahead. Our focus is to store it for long and make items like soups etc. which will help farmers to earn more”. 

The horticulture department is also focused on creating clusters of mushroom farms where groups of farmers can be involved in the process and the production could be enhanced. Mr. Kishore says that it will help the farmers to increase their bargaining capacity when they go to market it out. 


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT