Current status and future prospects of mushroom cultivation and research in India: A review

Abstract China dominates the global mushroom industry, producing over 90% of the world’s mushrooms, including a wide variety such as Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushrooms). The country also leads in consumption and exports. Other major producers include the USA (11%), the Netherlands (7%), and several European countries. In India, mushroom consumption surged during the COVID-19 pandemic due to increased awareness of their health benefits. India primarily cultivates white button ( Agaricus bisporus ), oyster ( Pleurotus spp.), paddy straw ( Volvariella volvacea ), and milky mushrooms ( Calocybe indica ), totalling 0.28 million tonnes. The growing demand for mushrooms is particularly noticeable in countries like China and India, where traditional meat consumption is low due to population pressures. This trend is driving innovation in mushroom farming, including the use of AI and smart cropping systems, along with research into strain development, post-harvest management, and bio-fortification with nutrients like iron and vitamin D. There is also growing interest in using mushrooms for industrial applications, such as construction materials, insulation, and fashion. Despite India’s favourable climate for various types of mushrooms, scaling up production requires improvements in infrastructure, post-harvest technologies, and shelf-life extension. Continued research and development in value-added products, ready-to-use mushrooms, and bio-fortification will be essential to meet rising domestic and international demand, ensuring growth in the mushroom industry.