Impact of growing white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) using zero energy polytunnel method of composting in North Eastern states of India

Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is the most cultivated mushroom in India. Button mushroom cultivation technique involves four components viz., composting, spawning, casing and crop management. Composting is solid state fermentation of substrate mixture for a certain period of time by the activities of various microorganisms. The present study reports testing and demonstration of zeroenergy polytunnel method of composting by Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Imphal, West Manipur in collaboration with ICAR-RCNEH, Manipur Centre during the period of 2019-2023. For the first three years, composting trials were conducted at ICAR Manipur centre and the fourth year, it was at farmer’s field. Two batches of 1100 kg of compost were prepared in each winter season. It was observed thatfrom one season of button mushroom cultivation adopting zero energy polytunnel with a modification based on local environmental condition, farmers could earn a gross return of Rs. 1,46,800/- and a net income of Rs.89,200/- with a benefit cost ratio of 2.55 This improved the socio-economic condition of the farmers and created an interest for entrepreneurship. This technology can easily be adopted by the small, marginal and landless farmers, unemployment youths and young Agri – entrepreneurs of North eastern states of India.