Mushroom farming is no longer just a hobby – it’s becoming a smart way to earn money while putting nutritious food on the table. If you're thinking of getting into it, there are two key things to remember.

First, visit mushroom farms or training centres that are already doing it well. Seeing the process up close really helps. Second, always start small – expand only when you’ve tasted success. For beginners, both of these steps are a must.

Getting started 

For Kerala’s climate, oyster mushrooms are perfect for farming. They grow well on simple mediums like straw and sawdust. If you’re using straw, go for fresh golden-coloured ones that aren’t too old. You can either roll them or chop them into small pieces.

Soak the straw in water for 12 to 18 hours. Once done, lift it up and let the excess water drain for a couple of hours. Then, boil it for about 30 to 45 minutes, or steam it if that’s easier. After that, leave it in a clean area for 7 to 8 hours. The straw is ready when it’s soft but not soaking. This can be checked by squeezing, if the straw is hard and your hands are not getting wet, it's ready to use.

Setting up the Mushroom beds

To make mushroom beds, take polythene covers (200 gauge), around 30 cm wide and 60 cm long. Tie one end of the cover tightly. Open up the other end and press in a handful of the prepared straw. Sprinkle mushroom seeds on the sides. Repeat this for three to four layers, placing more straw and seeds alternately. On the top layer, spread the seeds evenly and then tie the cover shut with a plastic string.

Use a clean needle to poke tiny holes in the sides of the bag. Then hang these beds in a clean, dark room.

Caring for your mushroom beds

In about 12 to 15 days, mushroom filaments will start growing inside the bags. During this time, spray the beds with water using a hand sprayer to keep them moist. Once ready, make small cuts on the cover using a clean blade. Shift the beds to a room with moderate humidity and light. Spray water twice a day. Within 3 to 4 days, mushrooms will start sprouting and you can harvest them.

After harvesting, give the beds a light watering again. In another 4 to 5 days, more mushrooms will pop up. You can usually harvest up to three times from a single bed.

Mushroom villages: Getting support from the government

To boost mushroom farming, the Department of Agriculture in Kerala, through the State Horticulture Mission, has launched ‘mushroom villages’. These provide support for both small and large mushroom production units.

They offer:

  • Rs 11,250 for small units with 80–100 beds
  • Rs 2 lakh for large units with 300 beds
  • Rs 2 lakh for seed production units with modern setups
  • Rs 2 lakh for pack houses
  • Rs 1 lakh for value addition units with storage
  • Rs 50,000 for compost units

On top of this, proper training is also provided to help new growers succeed.

For more info, contact 0471-2330857