Table of Contents
Introduction
Mushroom farming in India has gained significant momentum in recent years due to its high demand, nutritional value, and profitability. Mushrooms are a rich source of protein, vitamins, and antioxidants, making them a popular choice among health-conscious consumers. They are widely used in Indian cuisine, pharmaceuticals, and the processed food industry. With diverse climatic conditions across the country, India produces various mushroom varieties, including button, oyster, and milky mushrooms. Mushroom cultivation can be practiced at both small-scale household levels and large-scale commercial farms, making it a viable agribusiness opportunity.
Globally, countries like China, the United States, and the Netherlands lead in mushroom production, contributing significantly to the industry. India has also emerged as a key producer, steadily increasing its output to meet the growing domestic and international demand.
Now, let’s take a detailed look at the top 10 mushroom-producing states in India for 2023-24 in detail.
Top 10 Mushroom Producing States in India
- Bihar
- Odisha
- Maharashtra
- Uttar Pradesh
- Uttarakhand
- Haryana
- Chhattisgarh
- Rajasthan
- Himachal Pradesh
- Punjab
Bihar
Bihar ranks first in mushroom production in 2023-24, with a total production of 42.19 kilotonnes, accounting for 12% of the country’s total mushroom production. The major mushroom-producing regions in Bihar include Gaya, Bhojpur, Jamui, and Katihar.
Odisha
Odisha ranks second in mushroom production in 2023-24, with a total production of 34.60 kilotonnes, contributing 9.9% of the country’s total mushroom production. The major mushroom-producing regions in Odisha include Puri, Ganjam, Khorda, and Dhenkanal.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra ranks third in mushroom production in 2023-24, with a total production of 33.31 kilotonnes, making up 9.5% of India’s total mushroom production. The major mushroom-producing regions in Maharashtra include Nashik, Ahmednagar, and Thane.
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh ranks fourth in mushroom production in 2023-24, with a total production of 27.70 kilotonnes, accounting for 7.9% of the country’s total mushroom production. The major mushroom-producing regions in Uttar Pradesh include Varanasi and Pilibhit.
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand ranks fifth in mushroom production in 2023-24, achieving a total production of 27.02 kilotonnes, contributing 7.7% of India’s total mushroom output. The major mushroom-producing regions in Uttarakhand include Garhwal and Dehradun.
Haryana
Haryana ranks sixth in mushroom production in 2023-24, with a total production of 24.10 kilotonnes, representing 6.9% of India’s total production. The major mushroom-producing regions in Haryana include Sonipat, Ambala, and Hisar.
Chhattisgarh
Chhattisgarh ranks seventh in mushroom production in 2023-24, with a total production of 22.40 kilotonnes, making up 6.4% of the country’s total production. The major mushroom-producing regions in Chhattisgarh include Raipur, Dhamtari, and Mahasamund.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan ranks eighth in mushroom production in 2023-24, with a total production of 21.44 kilotonnes, contributing 6.1% to India’s total mushroom production. The major mushroom-producing regions in Rajasthan include Jaipur, Bhilwara, and Kota.
Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh ranks ninth in mushroom production in 2023-24, with a total production of 20.88 kilotonnes, accounting for 5.9% of India’s total mushroom production. The major mushroom-producing regions in Himachal Pradesh include Solan, Chail, Shimla, Mandi, and Dalhousie.
Punjab
Punjab ranks tenth in mushroom production in 2023-24, with a total production of 19.80 kilotonnes, accounting for 5.6% of India’s total mushroom production. The major mushroom-producing regions in Punjab include Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, and SAS Nagar.
Fun Facts About Mushrooms
- Mushrooms are more closely related to humans than plants on the evolutionary tree. Unlike plants, they do not perform photosynthesis; instead, they obtain energy by breaking down organic matter from their environment.
- The largest and oldest living organism on Earth is a fungus. Armillaria ostoyae, also known as the “honey fungus,” spans approximately 2,385 acres in Oregon’s Malheur National Forest and is estimated to be over 2,400 years old.
- Some mushrooms glow in the dark due to bioluminescence. Species like Mycena chlorophos emit a green glow to attract insects, which help spread their spores.
- Mushrooms play a crucial role in environmental cleanup. Mycoremediation, a process using fungi to break down pollutants, has been successfully used to clean oil spills and remove heavy metals from contaminated soil.
- Mushroom mycelium is being used to create eco-friendly alternatives to plastic, including biodegradable food containers, packaging materials, and even sustainable building materials.
- Mushrooms are one of the richest natural sources of umami, the savory “fifth taste” found in foods like tomatoes and cheese. Varieties such as shiitake and porcini are known for enhancing flavors in many cuisines.
- Some fungi can control insects in a zombie-like manner. Ophiocordyceps fungi infect ants, take over their nervous system, and manipulate their behavior to spread fungal spores.
- Certain mushrooms have potential brain-boosting properties. Lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus) are believed to support cognitive function and nerve regeneration, making them popular in both traditional and modern medicine.
Common FAQs
Q. Which state is the largest producer of mushrooms in India in 2023-24?
A. Bihar is the largest producer of mushrooms in India in 2023-24.
Q. Which state is the second-largest producer of mushrooms in India in 2023-24?
A. Odisha is the second-largest producer of mushrooms in India in 2023-24.
Q. What are the top five mushroom-producing states in India in 2023-24?
A. Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand are the top five mushroom-producing states in India in 2023-24.
Q. Which Indian state ranks third in mushroom production in 2023-24?
A. Maharashtra ranks third in mushroom production in India in 2023-24.
Q. What is the scientific name of mushrooms?
A. The scientific name of mushrooms is Agaricus bisporus.
Q. To which plant family do mushrooms belong?
A. Mushrooms belong to the family Agaricaceae.
Q. What are mushrooms called in different parts of India?
A. Mushrooms are called Puttagodugulu, Guchchi, Aalimb, and Putu in different regions of India.
Q. Which Indian state ranks tenth in mushroom production in 2023-24?
A. Punjab ranks tenth in mushroom production in India in 2023-24.
Q. Which city is called the “Mushroom City of India”?
A. Solan, a city in Himachal Pradesh, is known as the “Mushroom City of India.”
