Mushrooms Contribution to Farm Income and the Socio-economic Conditions Analysis of the Growers

Abstract

It is very important to adopt new technology for agricultural productivity and development. Farmers' socioeconomic status influenced their decision to adopt the technology. It is therefore important to study the social status of the farmer. The analysis was based on data based on a survey of 60 farm households. sample was drawn by using a simple random technique from the list of mushroom growers. A complete list of mushroom growers was prepared with the help of the Department of Horticulture, Govt. of Himachal Pradesh and from the supplier of spawn. the analysis of data all the mushroom growers were classified into three categories based on the number of bags, viz., Small Category (≤ 600), Medium Category (601-1200) and Large Category (>1200).  Results of the study revealed all of the farmers and most of their families were literate. The literacy status of studied households revealed that 88.25 per cent of family members were literates at an overall level and the literacy index was found 2.69. Among all the three categories all the farmers were small farmers based on landholding. So mushroom farming was preferred by only small farmers. and most of the farmers had an orchard. It is concluded that the main source of income for the farmer is mushroom production. Mushroom contributed maximum in total farm income in case of medium and large category i.e., 43.44 per cent and 72.18 per cent respectively. Overall, its contribution was found 49.42 per cent to the total farm income. Mushroom producer earns more than 52 thousand every month from mushrooms with less than 1200 bags, which is much higher than the average of an Indian.