THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, MARCH 25, 2026

 “Mushrooms are a super food — rich in nutrients, fat-free, low in cholesterol, and cultivated through environmentally sustainable methods. Odisha is among the leading states in mushroom production, contributing nearly 11 per cent of India’s total output,” said Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo while addressing the Mushroom Conclave 2026 held in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday. Emphasising the state government’s commitment to strengthening the sector, he noted that Odisha is actively promoting mushroom cultivation by extending subsidies under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY), developing market linkages, and ensuring robust logistics support to encourage entrepreneurs and farmers to adopt mushroom-based enterprises.

The Mushroom Conclave 2026, organised by the Agricultural Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (APICOL) under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), focused on expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities through mushroom cultivation as part of the vision for a Viksit Odisha. The state has produced around 63,000 metric tonnes of mushrooms this year, reflecting the growing acceptance of the crop as a viable income source for farmers and agri-entrepreneurs.

During the event, the Deputy Chief Minister launched the new APICOL website and distributed Go-Ahead letters to mushroom producers for establishing production and spawn units, further accelerating enterprise development in the sector.

The conclave featured technical sessions covering advanced production technologies, post-harvest management, value addition, and market linkages across the mushroom value chain. Nine expert speakers shared insights on scientific cultivation practices and emerging business opportunities, while more than 170 participants from across Odisha, including members of the Mushroom Federation, took part in the deliberations, demonstrating strong interest from farmers and entrepreneurs.

Addressing the gathering, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of DA&FE Department Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav highlighted that mushroom cultivation offers quick returns and profitability within a short duration, while requiring comparatively less water than many traditional crops and vegetables. Several eminent dignitaries, including Director of Soil Conservation & Watershed Development Subrat Kumar Panda, Director of Horticulture Kalunge Gorakh Waman, Vice Chancellor of OUAT Dr Prabhat Kumar Raul, Dr V. P. Sharma, Managing Director of APICOL Shubhranshu Mishra, and Chairman of Odisha Mushroom Growers Federation Prof. (Dr.) Adwaita Kumar Patra, emphasised the importance of mushroom farming in enhancing farmer incomes and strengthening rural livelihoods.

So far, 1,207 farmers have received approvals to establish mushroom-based enterprises such as spawn production units and cultivation and processing facilities for paddy straw, oyster, and button mushrooms. Additionally, 207 entrepreneurs have already availed subsidies to set up their enterprises, indicating strong momentum in the sector. Scientists, specialists from OUAT, and entrepreneurs actively participated in the conclave, sharing practical insights and experiences.

The conclave reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to building a strong, market-driven mushroom ecosystem while expanding sustainable income opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs, contributing significantly towards the vision of a Viksit Odisha.