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Sunday, March 25, 2012

Button Mushroom Cultivation in india- Full.

Introduction
Button Mushroom is the most popular mushroom variety grown and consumed the world over. In India, its production earlier was limited to the winter season, but with technology development, these are produced almost throughout the year in small, medium and large farms, adopting different levels of technology. The species being grown in most farms is the white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) belonging to Class Basidiomycetes and Family Agaricaceae.
Objective
The main objective of the exercise is to present a small scale viable bankable model production unit through adoption of appropriate technology, utilization of resources and suitable market strategy.
Background
Origin
India, with its diverse agroclimate conditions and abundance of agricultural wastes, has been producing mushrooms, mainly for the domestic market, for more than four decades. Commercial production picked up in the nineties and several hi-tech export oriented farms were set up with foreign technology collaborations. But major share of mushroom production is still on small farms.

Production Status
Large scale white or red button mushroom production is centred in Europe (mainly western part), North America (USA, Canada) and S.E. Asia (China, Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan and India). The national annual production of mushrooms is estimated to be around 50,000 tonnes with 85 percent of this production being of button mushrooms.

Economic Importance
Mushrooms are highly proteinaceous and are used as food. The white button mushroom is sold as fresh mushroom or is canned and made into soups, sauces and other food products. Protein in mushrooms have 60-70 % digestibility and contains all the essential amino acids. It has medicinal properties also. A high amount of retene is present in the button mushroom which is supposed to have an antagonistic effect on some forms of tumours.

Market Analysis and Strategy
Demand and Supply Patterns
White button mushrooms are grown all over the world and account for 35-45 % of the total mushroom production. In India, large units with production capacities between 2000 – 3000 tonnes / annum, have been set up mainly as export oriented units in the southern, western and northern regions. A large number of small units without climatic control equipment exist throughout India and function during the autumn and winter months only.
A big gap exists between the demand and supply position of white button mushrooms in the United States and European market. India exports the highest quantity of the mushroom produced in the country to USA. Netherlands and China account for 60% of the export of mushrooms. Germany is the largest importer and France and UK are large producers as well as consumers.

The demand for
fresh mushroom is increasing in the international market while that of preserved or canned mushrooms is decreasing. The trend in export of mushrooms (fresh and dried/preserved form) from India during the period 1999-2000 to 2001-2002 is depicted in the graphs below.
The possibilities of exporting fresh mushrooms to the markets in Middle East, Europe and USA need to be explored. Europe is a very large producer of fresh button mushrooms as such only some exotic varieties of mushrooms which are high priced can be exported to these countries. However, some inhibiting factors are high cost of transportation and absence of proper pre-cooling techniques and storage facilities.
Marketing problem is experienced in the winter months (December- February) when more than 75% of the annual production comes in market for sale in limited duration and market area. Farmers face the consequences of over-saturated market and are forced to sell their produce at a cheaper price. The commercial units need to establish mushroom processing unit so that during peak periods when there is glut of mushrooms in the market, the growers can resort to preservation of mushroom and as such fluctuation in prices will not affect the project economy.
Any mushroom unit located in and around the main markets should be able to make sufficient profit as they can save on transportation of produce.
Import / Export Trends
Netherlands is the leading exporter of button mushrooms (40% share) followed by China, France, Spain, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Indonesia and South Korea. USA is the largest consumer accounting for one third of World production. Other important consumers are Germany, UK, France, Italy and Canada. The quantity of mushrooms exported by India in comparison to the world export is almost negligible.
The most important importers of white button mushroom are Germany, USA, France, U.K. and Sweden. Canned button mushrooms are imported by UK, Germany, France, USA, Sweden etc. Asian countries like China, Taiwan, Korea export their produce to the American and European countries in the form of canned mushrooms.
Analysis and Future Strategy
Marketing of mushrooms in India is not yet organized. It is the simple system of producers selling directly to retailer or even to the consumer. Wholesale distributor is mostly missing. However, trade in the processed (canned and dried) is sizeable and organized. In other countries 10% of the total cost is earmarked for marketing.
Production of mushrooms, especially of the white button mushrooms, in India has gone up during recent years creating marketing problems. The market for processed foods has yet to develop in the country and basically fresh fruits and vegetables are preferred. There has not been any serious effort to promote the product and to strengthen and expand the market in order to increase consumption. The marginal increase in demand is for fresh mushrooms instead of dried/preserved mushrooms. Fresh mushrooms have very short shelf-life and therefore cannot be transported to long distances without refrigerated transport facility. They are sold in the markets in and around the production areas.
The cultivation of white button mushrooms throughout the year under controlled condition is restricted to a few commercial units and much of the production is under natural conditions during the winters. Majority of the growers in India do not have pasteurization facility and other sophisticated machinery/infrastructure for round the year production of white button mushroom. As such, button mushroom is cultivated seasonally when climatic conditions are favourable and production expenses are minimum. Many growers in Haryana, especially in Sonepat, Ambala and Hisar have revolutionized the cultivation of white button mushroom by adopting very simple and cheap technology of construction of mushroom houses (mud houses with thathched roofs). Seasonal growing of white button mushroom in Haryana and Punjab has many advantages like nearness to market, easy and cheap availability of raw material coupled with utilization of family labour. The growers in HP do not use compost prepared by long method because pasteurized compost is readily available from mushroom projects located at Solan and Palampur.
Production Technology
Agro-climatic Requirements
In India, button mushrooms are grown seasonally and in environment controlled cropping houses. White button mushroom requires 20-280 C for vegetative growth (spawn run) and 12-180 C for reproductive growth. Besides that it requires relative humidity of 80-90% and enough ventilation during cropping. Seasonally, it is grown during the winter months in the north-west plains of India and for 8-10 months in a year on the hills. However, with the advent of modern cultivation technology it is now possible to cultivate this mushroom anywhere in India.
The growers can take on an average 3-4 crops of white button mushrooms in a year depending upon the type and varieties cultivated. Factors affecting the yield of the crop both in terms of quality and quantity are incidence of pests/pathogens and non-availability of pure quality of spawn.
Growing and Potential Belts
The major producing states are Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Varieties / Strains
Ooty 1 and Ooty (BM) 2 (released in 2002) are the two strains of button mushrooms released for commercial cultivation by the scientists of Horticulture Research Station of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University at Vijayanagaram, Ooty. The strains which are mostly cultivated in India are S-11, TM-79 and Horst H3..
Cultivation Technology
The whole process of mushroom production can be divided into the following steps:
(i) Spawn production
(ii) Compost preparation
(iii) Spawning
(iv) Spawn running
(v) Casing
(vi) Fruiting
Spawn Production
Spawn is produced from fruiting culture / stocks of selected strains of mushrooms under sterile conditions. Stock culture may be produced in the lab or may be obtained from other reputed sources. Fruiting culture is mainly imported from various places including foreign sources which give higher yield than Indian strains and the spawn is produced in the lab. The spawn should be of good quality in terms of flavour, texture and size apart from having potential for high yield and longer shelf life.
Compost Preparation
The substrate on which button mushroom grows is mainly prepared from a mixture of plant wastes (cereal straw/ sugarcane bagasse etc.), salts (urea , superphosphate / gypsum etc), supplements (rice bran/ wheat bran) and water. In order to produce 1 kg.of mushroom, 220 g. of dry substrate materials are required. It is recommended that each ton of compost should contain 6.6 kg. nitrogen, 2.0 kg. phosphate and 5.0 kg. of potassium (N:P:K- 33: 10:25) which would get converted into 1.98% N, 0.62% P and 1.5% K on a dry weight basis. The ratio of C: N in a good substrate should be 25-30 : 1 at the time of staking and 16-17 : 1 in the case of final compost.
(A) Short Method of composting
During the first phase of compost preparation, paddy straw is placed in layers and sufficient water is added to the stack along with fertilizers, wheat bran, molasses etc. The whole thing is mixed thoroughly with the straw and made into a stack (almost 5feet high,5 feet wide and of any length can be made with the help of wooden boards). The stack is turned and again watered on the second day. On the fourth day the stack is again turned for the second time by adding gypsum and watered. The third and final turning is given on the twelveth day when the colour of the compost changes into dark brown and it starts emitting a strong smell of ammonia.
The second phase is the pasteurization phase .The compost prepared as a result of microbe mediated fermentation process needs to be pasteurized in order to kill undesirable microbes and competitors and to convert ammonia into microbial protein.The whole process is carried out inside a steaming room where an air temperature of 600 C is maintained for 4 hours. The compost finally obtained should be granular in structure with 70% moisture content and pH 7.5. It should have a dark brown colour, sweet unobnoxious smell and free from ammonia, insects and nematodes. After the process is complete, the substrate is cooled down to 250 C.
(B) Long Method of composting
The long method of composting is usually practiced in areas where facilities for steam pasteurization is not available. In this method, the first turning is given about six days after preparation of the substrate for composting. The second turning is given on the tenth day followed by third one on the thirteenth day when gypsum is added. The fourth, fifth and sixth turnings are given on the sixteenth, nineteenth and twenty-second day. On the twenty-fifth day the seventh turning is given by adding 10% BHC (125 g.) and the eighth turning is given on the twenty-eighth day after which it is checked whether there is any smell of ammonia present in the compost. The compost is ready for spawning only if it doesn’t have any smell of ammonia; otherwise a few more turnings are given at an interval of three days till there is no smell of ammonia.
Spawning
The process of mixing spawn with compost is called spawning. The different methods followed for spawning are given below:
(i) Spot Spawning: Lumps of spawn are planted in 5 cm. deep holes made in the compost at a distance of 20-25 cm. The holes are later covered with compost.
(ii) Surface Spawning: The spawn is evenly spread in the top layer of the compost and then mixed to a depth of 3-5 cm. The top portion is covered with a thin layer of compost.
(iii) Layer Spawning: About 3-4 layers of spawn mixed with compost are prepared which is again covered with a thin layer of compost like in surface spawning.
The spawn is mixed through the whole mass of compost at the rate of 7.5 ml./ kg. compost or 500 to 750 g./ 100 kg. compost (0.5 to 0.75%).
Spawn Running
After the spawning process is over, the compost is filled in polythene bags(90x90 cm., 150 gauge thick having a capacity of 20-25 kg. per bag)/ trays(mostly wooden trays 1x1/2 m. accommodating 20-30 kg. compost) / shelves which are either covered with a newspaper sheet or polythene. The fungal bodies grow out from the spawn and take about two weeks (12-14 days) to colonise. The temperature maintained in cropping room is 23 ± 20 C. Higher temperature is detrimental for growth of the spawn and any temperature below than that specified for the purpose would result in slower spawn run. The relative humidity should be around 90% and a higher than normal CO2 concentration would be beneficial.
Casing
The compost beds after complete spawn run should be covered with a layer of soil (casing) about 3-4 cm. thick to induce fruiting. The casing material should be having high porosity, water holding capacity and the pH should range between 7-7.5. Peat moss which is considered to be the best casing material is not available in India, as such the mixtures like garden loam soil and sand (4:1); decomposed cowdung and loam soil (1:1) and spent compost (2-3 years old); sand and lime are commonly used.
The casing soil before application should be either pasteurized (at 66-700 C for 7-8 hours), treated with formaldehyde (2%), formaldehyde (2%) and bavistin (75 ppm.) or steam sterilized. The treatment needs to be done at least 15 days before the material is used for casing. After casing is done the temperature of the room is again maintained at 23-280 C and relative humidity of 85-90% for another 8-10 days. Low CO2 concentration is favourable for reproductive growth at this stage.
Fruiting
Under favourable environmental conditions viz. temperature (initially 23 ± 20 C for about a week and then 16 ± 20 C ), moisture (2-3 light sprays per day for moistening the casing layer), humidity( above 85%), proper ventilation and CO2 concentration (0.08-0.15 %) the fruit body initials which appear in the form of pin heads start growing and gradually develop into button stage.
Pest and Diseases
The insect pests mostly observed are nematodes, mites and springtails.
The crop is suspect to several diseases like Dry Bubble (brown spot), Wet Bubble (White Mould), Cobweb, Green Mould, False truffle (Truffle disease), Olive green mould, Brown plaster mould and Bacterial blotch.
Professional help and extension advice will have to sought by the entrepreneur to adopt appropriate and timely control measures against pests & diseases.
Harvesting and Yield
Harvesting is done at button stage and caps measuring 2.5 to 4 cm. across and closed are ideal for the purpose. The first crop appears about three weeks after casing. Mushrooms need to be harvested by light twisting without disturbing the casing soil. Once the harvesting is complete, the gaps in the beds should be filled with fresh sterilized casing material and then watered.
About 10-14 kg. fresh mushrooms per 100 kg. fresh compost can be obtained in two months crop. Short method used for preparation of compost under natural conditions gives more yield (15-20 kg. per 100 kg. compost).

Post Harvest Management
Packing and Storage
Short Term Storage
Button mushrooms are highly perishable. Harvested mushrooms are cut at the soil line and washed in a solution of 5g. KMS in 10L. of water for removing the soil particles as well as to induce whiteness. After removing excess water these are packed in perforated poly bags each containing around 250-500 g. of mushrooms. They can be stored in polythene bags at 4-50 C for a short period of 3-4 days.
The mushrooms are usually packed in unlabelled simple polythene or polypropylene for retail sale. Bulk packaging does not exist. In developed countries, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and controlled atmosphere packaging (CAP) are in vogue.
(B) Long Term Storage
White button mushrooms are not usually dried by common procedures used in case of oyster, paddy and shitake mushrooms. Canning is the most popular method of preserving the white button mushrooms and sizeable quantity of canned produce are exported to international markets. Besides that, freeze drying, IQF and pickling are also practiced by some units.

Project Report on Oyster Mushroom Cultivation

1.  INTRODUCTION 

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sp.) belonging to Class Basidiomycetes and Family Agaricaceae is popularly known as ‘dhingri’ in India and grows naturally in the temperate and tropical forests on dead and decaying wooden logs or sometimes on dying trunks of deciduous or coniferous woods. It may also grow on decaying organic matter. The fruit bodies of this mushroom are distinctly shell or spatula shaped with different shades of white, cream, grey, yellow, pink or light brown depending upon the species.

It is one of the most suitable fungal organisms for producing protein rich food from various agro-wastes or forest wastes without composting.   

2.                  OBJECTIVE

The main objective of the exercise is to present a small scale viable bankable model production unit using modern technology.

3.                  BACKGROUND

3.1              Origin

Cultivation of a sp. of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) was initiated on experimental basis in Germany by Flack during the year 1917 on tree stumps and wood logs.  Growing technology was perfected in USA by Block, Tsao and Hau.  

Cultivation of different varieties of oyster mushroom was initiated in India in the early sixties.  Commercial cultivation began in mid-seventies.

3.2              Botanical Description

The oyster mushrooms have three distinct parts- a fleshy shell or spatula shaped cap (pileus) , a short or long lateral or central stalk called stipe and long ridges and furrows underneath the pileus called gills or lamellae. The gills stretch from the edge of the cap down to the stalk and bear the spores. The spores are smooth, cylindrical and germinate very easily on any kind of mycological media within 48-96 hrs. The mycelium of Pleurotus is pure white in colour.


3.3              Production

Oyster mushrooms are the third largest cultivated mushroom. China, the world leader in Oyster production, contributes nearly 85% of the total world production of about a million tonnes. The other countries producing oyster mushrooms include Korea, Japan, Italy, Taiwan, Thailand and Phillipines. The present production of this crop in India is only around 1500 tonnes due to low domestic demand. Another inhibiting factor is that export demand orders are large and can be met only if a linkage is developed between producer, cooperatives and exporters.

3.4              Economic Importance

The economic importance of the mushroom lies primarily in its use as food for human consumption.  It is rich in Vitamin C and B complex and the protein content varies between 1.6 to 2.5 percent. It has most of the mineral salts required by the human body.  The niacin content is about ten times higher than any other vegetables.  

The folic acid present in oyster mushrooms helps to cure anemia. It is suitable for people with hyper-tension, obesity and diabetes due to its low sodium : potassium ratio, starch, fat and calorific value. Alkaline ash and high fibre content makes them suitable for consumption for those having hyperacidity and constipation. A polycyclic aromatic compound pleurotin has been isolated from P. griseus which possess antibiotic properties.

The spent straw can be re-cycled for growing oyster mushroom after supplementing with wheat or rice bran @ 10-15 % and also for preparing compost of white button mushroom after suitable supplementation with nitrogen rich horse or chicken manure (sun-dried before use). The spent straw can be used as cattle feed and also for bio-gas production, The slurry can be used as manure.

4.                  MARKET ANALYSIS AND STRATEGY

4.1              Demand and Supply Patterns

This mushroom is not as popular as white button mushroom in the domestic market. A few units are cultivating it commercially for export market. Cultivation of this mushroom on commercial basis would be more profitable as compared to white button mushroom as capital costs are low.

The cultivation of this variety of mushroom is very simple and economical in rural areas where raw materials and facilities required are easily available.

Marketing of fresh oyster mushroom does not pose any problem at present due to very low production. However, as production increases linkage of producers with domestic markets and export oriented processing units will need to be developed to ensure remunerative prices to the producers.

Generally, export orders are too big to be met by a single grower and as such co-operatives have to be encouraged to pool their produce for trading the crop in a dried powder form in international markets.

4.2              Import / Export Trends

About 11,797 tonnes of fresh mushrooms and 4,099 tonnes of preserved mushrooms were exported to foreign countries viz. U.S.A., France, Ireland, U.A.E., Russia etc. during the period 2001-2002. The quantity of oyster mushroom exported is much lower than that of button mushrooms which constitute the major share of exports.

4.3              Analysis and Future Strategy

Species of Pleurotus are cheapest and easiest to grow among all the cultivated edible mushrooms. Cultivation does not require complicated substrate preparation technique as in case of button mushroom. The former can be grown on non-fermented, almost fresh plant residues (agri-wastes containing lignin and cellulose). Substrate preparation does not require controlled environmental conditions as in case of button mushroom.

The crop has got a number of varieties varying in shape, colour, texture and aroma which can be cultivated throughout the year under varied agro-climatic conditions.  Faster growth rate and early cropping is observed.  About 5 to 6 crops can be taken in a year as the total cropping period is 60 days.

5.                  PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY

5.1              Agro-climatic Requirements

Oyster mushroom can grow at moderate temperature ranging from 20 to 300 C and humidity 55-70% for a period of 6 to 8 months in a year. It can also be cultivated in summer months by providing the extra humidity required for its growth. In hilly areas above 900m. (m.s.l.), the best growing season is during March/April to  September/October and in the lower regions from September/October to March/April.

5.2              Growing and Potential Belts

The major states in India producing this mushroom are Orissa, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and most of the North Eastern hill states.
5.3              Varieties Cultivated

Among all the cultivated mushrooms Pleurotus has maximum number of commercially cultivated species suitable for round the year cultivation. All the varieties or species of oyster mushroom are edible except P. olearius and P. nidiformis which are poisonous. Species commercially cultivated all over the world during summer months includes P. flabelltus, P. sajor cajo, P. sapidus, P.membranaceous, P.citrinopileatus, P.eous etc. and those produced during winter are P.ostreatus, P.florida, P.cornucopiae, P.fossulatus, P.eryngii etc.

5.4              Cultivation Technology

The procedure for oyster mushroom cultivation can be divided into following four steps:

(i)                  Preparation or procurement of spawn
(ii)                Substrate preparation
(iii)               Spawning of substrate
(iv)              Crop management

5.4.1        Spawn Preparation

A pure culture of Pleurotus sp. is needed for inoculation on sterilized substrate. It takes 10-15 days for mycelial growth on cereal grains. It has been reported that jowar and bajra grains are superior over wheat grains.

5.4.2        Substrate Preparation

Oyster mushroom can be cultivated on a large number of agro-wastes having cellulose and lignin which helps in more enzyme production of cellulose that is correlated with more yield. These include straw of paddy, wheat and ragi, stalk and leaves of maize, millets and cotton, used citronella leaf, sugarcane bagasse, saw dust, jute and cotton waste, dehulled corncobs, pea nut shells, dried grasses, sunflower stalks, used tea leaf waste, discarded waste paper and synthetic compost of button mushrooms etc. It can also be cultivated by using industrial wastes like paper mill sludges, coffee byproducts, tobacco waste, apple pomace etc.

The popular methods of substrate preparation are:  

·                     Steam Pasteurization;           
·                     Hot Water Treatment;
·                     Sterile Technique (Till method);         
·                     Fermentation or Composting; and     
·                     Chemical Sterilization.           
5.4.3        Spawning of Substrate

Freshly prepared (20-30 days old) grain spawn is best for spawning. Old spawn (3-6 months) stored at room temperature (at  20-300 C) forms a very thick mat like structure due to mycelium aggregation and sometimes young pinheads and fruit bodies start developing in the spawn bottle itself. The spawning should be done in a pre-fumigated room (48hrs.with 2% formaldehyde).  

5.4.4        Crop Management

(A)               Incubation

Spawned bags, trays or boxes are arranged in a dark cropping room on raised platforms or shelves for mycelium colonization of the substrate. Although mycelium can grow from 10 to 330 C, but the optimum temperature for spawn running lies between 22 to 260 C.

(B)              Fruiting

When the mycelium has fully colonized the substrate, the fungus is ready for fruiting. Contaminated bags with moulds may be discarded while bags with patchy mycelial growth may be left for few more days to complete mycelial growth.

While various species require different temperature regimes all require high humidity (70-85%) during fruiting.  Frequent spraying of water is required in the cropping room depending upon the atmospheric humidity.  Fruit body produced under humid conditions (85-90%) is bigger with less dry matter while those developed at 65-70% relative humidity are small with high dry matter.

CO2 concentration during cropping should be less than 600 ppm. or 0.6%.  Sufficient ventilation has to be provided during fruiting.

5.5              Plant Protection Measures
 
5.5.1        The crop is suspect to attacks from flies (sciarid, cecid) spring tails and mites.  Timely spraying with insect specific insecticides is needed. 
 
5.5.2        The crop is prone to fungal diseases.  Several competitor moulds e.g. Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp. and Fusarium sp., Rhizopus sp. have been reported to occur in the substrate used for cultivation.   Spraying with Bavistin or Benomyl is a recommended control measure.

5.5.3        The crop is also subject to diseases like yellow blotch, brown spot and bacterial rot, control measures which are needed include:

·                     Proper management of temperature and humidity during growing period.
·                     Regular application of chlorinated water containing 100 – 150 ppm of freely available chlorine at an interval of 3 – 5 days
·                     Application of oxytetracycline and streptocycline.

5.6              Harvesting and Yield

The right shape for picking can be judged by the shape and size of the fruit body.  The fruit bodies should be harvested before spore release, by twisting so that the stubs are not left on the beds (straw). It is advisable to pick all the mushrooms at one time from a cube and the next flush will appear at one time.

More than 500 kg. of fresh mushrooms per ton of dry wheat or straw can be obtained in case of crop produced in 45-60 days.

6.                  POST HARVEST MANAGEMENT

6.1              Storage

(A)               Short-term Storage

Fresh mushrooms are packed in perforated polythene bags which are directly sent to the local market situated nearby. Freshly harvested mushrooms can be stored at low temperature (0-50 C) for 1-2 weeks without loss in quality in case it is to be sent to the distant markets.

(B)              Long-term Storage

Dried mushroom with 2-4% moisture, can be stored for 3-4 months in sealed pouches without any change in taste. The dried produce can be rehydrated in luke warm water (40-500 C) within 20-30 mins. giving 80-90% of original weight.

6.2              Packing and Transportation

Fresh mushrooms are packed in perforated polythene bags.  Poly pouches containing crushed ice and overwrapped in paper are put in trays/baskets which are then covered with thin polythene sheet with sufficient perforation for proper aeration. The pre-packed pouches (250 or 500 g.) can be transported by roadways in trucks, buses depending upon the quantity to be transported.

6.3              Marketing

Domestic marketing does not pose a problem at present because only small quantities are being traded.  As production develops, marketing promotion measures will need to be undertaken to bolster the demand.

Export potential exists and needs to be taken advantage of by organizing cooperatives of producers linked to commercial units for processing fresh mushroom into dehydrated powder for export.

7.                  SOURCES OF TECHNOLOGY

(i)                  National Centre for Mushroom, Chambaghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh-173213, [Tel: (01792) 30451,30767]

(ii)                Plant Pathology Division, Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan, Nauni – 173230, Himachal Pradesh,
[Tel: (01792) 225 2315, 225 2344]




8.                  ECONOMICS OF A SMALL SCALE MODEL

8.1              High quality commercial cultivation of the crop even on a small scale is a viable proposition as it is in good demand both in domestic and foreign markets.  The economics of a small unit with annual production of 400 kg is brought out below:  

Costs & Returns:

8.2              The cost components of such a model along with the basis for costing are exhibited in Annexures I.   A summary is given in the figure below.  Inclusive of 5% contingencies, the project cost works out to around Rs.50 thousand.

           (Rs. In thousands)
Project Cost
Amount
Land & Site Development
21.47
Building
15.00
Plant & Machinery
11.90
Contingency
1.42




Total
49.79

8.3              The major components of the model are:

·                     Land Acquisition & Development: (Rs. 21.47 thousand):  On an average the cost of land can be put at Rs. 20 thousand in rural areas/forest areas in States like Uttaranchal, NE Hilly States etc.

·                     Building (Rs. 15.00 thousand):  This is the cost of high density polythene sheet growing room of 300 sq.ft.

·                     Plant & Machinery (Rs. 11.90 thousand per annum): This is the cost of setting up a sprayer room acquiring galvanised tubs, iron racks and thermometers.

8.4              Recurring Production Cost (Rs. 6.83 thousand):  Recurring production costs are brought out in Annexure II.  The main components are raw material like wheat straw or rice bran, chemicals, cost of power & water and packaging material etc.  Labour costs have been computed at Rs. 80 per man-day.  These can, however, vary from location to location depending upon prevailing wage level or minimum statutory wages fixed.  Recurring costs work out to Rs. 6.83 thousand per annum.  



Returns from the Project:

8.5              The yield from this unit would be 400 kgs. per annum.  Valued at Rs. 40 per kg. the gross return would be Rs. 16 thousand per annum.   Annexure III gives profitability calculations.

Project Financing:

8.6              Balance Sheet:  The projected balance sheet of the model is given at Annexure IV.  There would be three sources of financing the project as below:

                        Source                                                  Rs.Thousand

                        Farmer’s share                                               24.9
                        Capital subsidy                                               10.0
                        Term loan                                                        14.9                                                     Total                                                                                         49.


Expected Income -Gross profit works out to Rs. 9.2 thousand per annum.