Vol. 12, Issue 3 (2023)

Author(s):
Surya Sidhant Rath and Sarba Narayan Mishra

Abstract:
Mushroom cultivation as an agribusiness activity generates income and employment opportunities for the weaker sections of the society particularly. Mushroom entrepreneurship as a technologically intensive agribusiness, its success is maximally subject to technological and institutional support available. Trainings on mushroom cultivation, spawn production is extensively provided by All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on mushroom, OUAT, Bhubaneswar, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and other private organisations. The study is based on the primary data collected from the trainees of mushroom cultivation who started the enterprise after getting the training but later on due course of time abandoned the activity. Forty respondents were chosen for the study from four districts of Odisha viz. Puri, Dhenkanal, Khurda and Ganjam. In order to analyze the factors influencing discontinuance of mushroom cultivation and evoke the constraints in mushroom farming, Garreett ranking technique was used. The study indicated that the average time taken to start the cultivation after the training is completed is twenty five days and twenty five respondents did the prelimnary survey before cultivating mushroom. On an average the respondents discontinued mushroom cultivation after carrying out the activity for three months. The respondents used to grow nearly three beds per day with average yield per bed at 550 grams and average per day production at 1700 grams. Forgetting the quantum of production, the quality of the produce was well appreciated by the consumers. It was also found out from the study that unsatisfactory production was the prominent problem. They could not get the expected level of output that reduced the level of interest of the respondents for further cultivation. Time constraints, delayed payment, labour unavailability and input problem basically straw and spawn were the respective factors that hindered their interest for continuity in mushroom cultivation. Seventy five per cent respondents opined that if the mushroom farming is carried out properly following the agribusiness principles then it is obviously a profitable venture. Besides, sixty per cent of the respondents willing to restart the cultivation if they are provided refresher training, marketing help and input subsidy facilitation.