Economic performance of agro-based industry of mushroom production in Maharashtra

The economic performance of agro-based industry of mushroom production has been studied in Maharashtra by working out cost and returns, and marketing cost. The study based on the data for the year 2005–06, has selected two private sector mushroom units, viz. Cryptogam Ltd., Pune and Ambika Mushroom Unit, Ahmednagar and has used simple statistical tools for analysis of data. The per kg total cost of mushroom cultivation has been found as Rs 24.47, constituting 54.5 per cent as variable cost and 45.5 per cent as fixed cost. The per kg marketing cost of mushroom has been worked out to be Rs 3.64. Packing and transportation have been noted as the major components of marketing cost. The cost of production of mushroom has been worked out as Rs 28.11/kg. The gross returns have been found as Rs 61.67/kg and net returns as Rs 35.11/kg, with benefit cost ratio of 2.19. Irratic electricity supply, lack of availability of finances, lack of cold storage facilities, and non-availability of quality spawn have been identified as the major problems in production of mushroom. The study has suggested that potential mushroom growers should be given training for its proper production. The government should promote production of mushroom in the rural areas through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This will help create additional employment and income for rural people in the area.