How to start mushroom farming

Question

Anurag Gupta · Accepted Answer

Mushroom farming can be a profitable and sustainable agricultural activity if done correctly. Here's a clear and practical explanation of how to start mushroom farming — step-by-step
To begin mushroom farming, you first need to decide which type of mushroom you want to grow. For beginners, Oyster mushrooms are often recommended because they grow quickly, require less investment, and adapt well to a range of climatic conditions. Other varieties like Button mushrooms or Shiitake are also popular but may need more controlled environments.

Once you select your mushroom type, the next step is to arrange space and equipment. You don’t need agricultural land — a small, dark, and well-ventilated room or shed can work well. The environment should be clean and slightly humid. You will also need basic materials like shelves or racks to place your mushroom bags, a water sprayer for humidity, and plastic bags or trays for growing.

Mushrooms grow on substrate — which is the growing medium. For oyster mushrooms, this can be made from straw, sawdust, or agricultural waste like cotton waste or sugarcane bagasse. The substrate is soaked in water, pasteurized (to kill bacteria and fungus), then cooled and packed into poly bags or containers. After this, mushroom spawn (like mushroom seeds) is mixed with the substrate layer by layer and the bag is sealed or covered.

Then comes the incubation period, where the bags are kept in a dark room at the right temperature (about 25°C–30°C) for 2–3 weeks. During this time, the mushroom mycelium spreads through the bag. Once the white fungus growth fully spreads, the bags are opened or slits are made to allow mushrooms to come out. Then the bags are moved to a place with indirect light and good humidity.

Mushrooms start growing within a week after bag opening. You’ll need to spray water 2–3 times a day to maintain moisture. Within 4–6 days, you’ll see the first harvest. A single bag can give mushrooms for up to 3 flushes (harvests), spaced 5–7 days apart.

After harvesting, mushrooms can be sold fresh in local markets, restaurants, or through online platforms. With proper post-harvest handling like cold storage or drying, you can increase shelf life and reduce spoilage.

If you want to grow commercially, training and a small investment are essential. Many government and private institutes offer short mushroom cultivation training, which can help you avoid mistakes and increase productivity. Also, subsidies and support schemes are available under various agricultural or horticultural programs in India.