Biological and Economic Impact of Zero-energy Composting Technology Developed for Agaricus bisporus: A Case Study of Northern India Mushroom Growers

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate the impact of the Zero Energy Poly Tunnel (ZEPT) composting technology for button mushroom cultivation and to identify the socio-economic factors influencing its adoption among mushroom growers in India. It was conducted in Bihar and Haryana among button mushroom growers, covering one complete production cycle from September to March. Primary data were collected from 40 mushroom growers, comprising 20 ZEPT adopters and 20 non-adopters following the conventional long composting method. Detailed information on compost preparation costs, biological efficiency (BE), compost conversion rate, and socio-economic characteristics was collected using structured schedules. The impact of ZEPT adoption was assessed using two-sample t-tests assuming unequal variances. Determinants of technology adoption were analyzed using a Linear Probability Model with adoption status as a binary dependent variable. ZEPT adopters achieved significantly higher biological efficiency (19.69%) compared to non-adopters (17.04%) and a higher compost conversion rate (2.50 vs. 2.01). The average variable cost of compost preparation was lower for ZEPT adopters (₹5.97 per kg) than for non-adopters (₹8.20 per kg). Regression results showed that female growers were 0.27 times more likely to adopt ZEPT than male growers (P = 0.05). Education (β = 0.054, P < 0.01), reliance on mushroom farming as the main occupation (β = 0.344, P = 0.05), and prior training in mushroom cultivation (β = 0.278, P = 0.05) significantly increased the probability of adoption.