By sannisingh07@gmail.com September 1, 2025
Want to earn ₹30,000 to ₹1,00,000 in just 45–60 days with very little investment and land? Mushroom farming is the answer to a high-demand, fast-growing business that can be started even in a small room or shed. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can start mushroom farming with low investment and high returns in India.
Best Mushrooms for Beginners
| Variety | Temperature | Time to harvest | Market rate |
| Button Mushroom | 16–20°C | 45–60 days |
₹150–200/kg
|
| Oyster Mushroom | 20–30°C | 25–30 days |
₹100–150/kg
|
| Milky Mushroom | 25–35°C | 45 days | ₹100–120/kg |
Start with Oyster if you’re a beginner. It grows faster and is easy to manage.
Step-by-Step Guide to Start Mushroom Farming
- Space & Setup
- Small room, basement, or shed (10×12 ft is enough)
- Well-ventilated, dark & humid space
- Bamboo racks or hanging bags
- Raw Materials
- Wheat/paddy straw (substrate)
- Mushroom spawn (seeds)
- Plastic bags or trays
- Water sprayer
- Process
- Substrate preparation: Soak and ferment straw
- Spawning: Mix spawn into substrate
- Bag filling: Fill bags or trays
- Incubation: Keep in dark room for 10–15 days
- Fruiting: Mushrooms start growing in 3–4 days
- Maintenance
- Keep humidity at 80–90%
- Spray water regularly
- Maintain hygiene to avoid contamination
Cost and Income Breakdown (100 sq. ft.)
Item Cost (₹)
Spawn ₹2,000
Straw ₹1,000
Bags, Trays, Sprayer, etc. ₹2,000
Electricity + Misc. ₹1,000
Total Investment ₹6,000
Yield: ~80–100 kg
Income @ ₹150/kg. ₹12,000–15,000
Net Profit (45 days) ₹6,000–₹9,000
Scale to 1000 sq. ft. to earn ₹60,000–₹90,000 profit per cycle.
Where to Sell Mushrooms?
- Local vegetable markets
- Hotels, restaurants, catering services
- Organic food stores
- Online platforms (BigBasket, WhatsApp groups, local aggregators)
- Direct from farm (Farm Gate Sale)
Where to Get Mushroom farming Training?
- Institute/Agency Location
- ICAR – Directorate of Mushroom Research(DMR) Solan, Himachal Pradesh
- Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) District-level (across India)
- State Horticulture Departments Your local agri offices.
Many government centers provide free training and spawn at subsidized rates.
Tips to Maximize Profit
- Start small and learn, then expand
- Maintain hygiene contamination kills profit
- Diversify try Mushroom Powder, Pickles, or Dry Mushroom products
- Collaborate with local restaurants or organic stores
- Join WhatsApp/Facebook groups of mushroom growers
Real-Life Success Stories in Mushroom Farming
Rahul Govind once served as a Merchant Navy officer. In 2016, he left his job to follow his passion for farming. With just 100 mushroom beds inside a 50 sq. ft storeroom, he began his journey into mushroom cultivation after receiving training from KVK Kannur. Step by step, using scientific methods and dedication, he built his brand — Monsoon Mushroom. Rahul now runs a successful agribusiness earning over ₹2 crore annually proving that small beginnings can lead to big success.
A Sangrur (Punjab) farmer expanded to 26 sheds (60×30 ft) and 4 air-conditioned rooms to grow mushrooms year-round. In a single season, he produced 120,000 kg (1,200 quintals) of button mushrooms from 60,000 bags. His total sales crossed ₹1 crore, and the net profit from just 3 acres reached ₹23 lakh within six months, far exceeding traditional crop earnings.
Government Support & Schemes
- PM-FME: 35% subsidy for processing setup
- ATMA Scheme: Free training & exposure visits
- NABARD Loan assistance for agribusiness
- Startup India: For scale-up & branding
Conclusion
Mushroom farming is the perfect example of “Low Investment, High Return” farming. Whether you live in a city or a village, with just ₹6,000–10,000, you can start your own profitable mushroom business from home. If you’re looking for a side income, women-led business idea, or full-time farming venture, start mushroom farming today.