Mushroom Industry, the present scene in India

The food markets, worldwide are growing at a very high rate as more and more families are spending a lot of money on food. As people are getting health conscious, in an era of easily available information in media, demand for mushrooms is on a sharp increase.

India produces about one thousand tons of mushrooms per annum, of which 50% is produced in Haryana itself. A mini revolution has already begun in villages of Haryana and we also want to become a part of Growing India. Mushrooms have already penetrated the kitchens of India and mushroom dishes are integral part on menus of parties and eating joints. The consumption is increasing at a rate of 15% for the last four years.

Since mushroom production is a highly labor intensive affair, its cost of production is very high in developed countries. India has big potential for exports. There is no dearth of raw materials with plenty of poultry farms and huge areas in wheat growing. Improved infrastructure, faster means of communication and marketing as a fresh commodity and better purchase power of people. Example of China is before us, where 50 million people directly or indirectly are engaged in mushroom production and business. China has become a leading mushroom producer and consumer in world. It is an important cottage industry in integrated rural development program leading to the economic betterment of small farmers, landless laborers and weak sections of communities. Total production of China in 2007 was 14000*1000 tons followed by Korea and Taiwan.      

In our country, it is already developing as an important cash crop with export potential.   

Mushroom - An Excellent Food

Mushrooms - a delicious health food that has been valued throughout the world as food and medicine for thousand of years.

Mushrooms are enjoyed for their flavor and texture. The flavor intensifies during cooking and their texture holds up well to stir frying and sauting. Besides being the combination of mushroom-peas, popular dishes are soups, sandwiches. Grilled and tandoori mushrooms are served as snacks. In Europe and USA, mushroom extracts are being used in nutraceutical products and sport drinks.

Mushrooms contain 80 to 90% water and are very low in calories. They have very little sodium and fats. Ten percent of their weight is fiber and therefore they are ideal food for persons following weight management program.

Mushrooms are an excellent source of Potassium, a mineral that helps lower the elevated BP and reduce risk f stroke. One big sized mushroom has even more Potassium than a banana or a glass of orange juice. One serving of mushroom provides 20 to 40% of daily value of Copper, a mineral that has cardio protective properties. Iron is a must for growing children and women.

Mushrooms are a rich source of riboflavin, niacin and selenium. Selenium is an antioxidant that works with vitamin E to protect the human body from the risk of prostate cancer. Button mushroom possess substances that inhibit the activity of aromatase (an enzyme involved in estrogen production) and 5-alpha-reductase (an enzyme that convert testosterones to DHT). It is well proven that mushrooms reduce the risk of breast cancer and prostate cancer. An extract of button mushrooms decreased the cell proliferation and decrease the size of tumor size.

FAO have recognized mushrooms as a food contributing protein to the communities depending largely on cereals like our country. Mushroom is different from other vegetables for being rich in folic acid and vitamin B-12, absent in others.