ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCE USE PRODUCTIVITY IN MUSHROOM FARMING IN HIMACHAL PRADESH
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Date
2021-07
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UHF,NAUNI
Abstract
ABSTRACT
The present study entitled “Economic Assessment of Resource use productivity in Mushroom Farming
in Himachal Pradesh was carried out in Kangra, Solan, Shimla and Mandi districts of the state. Simple Random
sampling technique was used to select 215 mushroom growers from the selected districts. Cumulative cube root
frequency (Singh and Mangat, 1995) was used for the construction of strata. The mushroom growers were classified
into three categories on the basis of number of bags viz., small category (≤245), medium category (246-790) and large
category (>790). Eight spawn producers were also selected from different selected districts in the study area. Main
local markets in the study area districts were selected for conducting marketing study. A total sample of 5
wholesalers/commission agents and 5 retail sellers were selected randomly. Results revealed that average family size
of selected farm families at overall level comprises of 4.58. The overall literacy rate was found to be 79.73 per cent,
while literacy index were worked out to be 2.77 indicating average quality of education. Agriculture was found to be
the main occupation as 80.10 per cent of workforce practice farming at overall farm category level. The average size
of total land holding at overall level was found to be 0.94 ha which vary between 0.62 ha in small category to 1.32 ha
in large category. Overall cropping intensity was found to 175.76 per cent. Mushroom contributed maximum share in
the total farm income (34.78%) at overall category level, while it was observed highest of (46.76%) in case of large
category. The cost of 1 quintal spawn production varied between Rs. 12293.63 for white button and Rs. 12000.07 for
oyster mushroom. At overall basis, the cost of cultivation of white button mushroom per 100 bags basis found to be
Rs. 19457.83, while for oyster mushroom it was found to be Rs. 14323.64. The net returns per 100 bags were
estimated to be Rs. 16440.39 and Rs. 10443.77 at overall level. The output-input ratios were observed to be 1.84 and
1.73 in case of white button mushroom and oyster mushroom respectively. Results indicated that cultivation of white
button mushroom and oyster mushroom in the study area is a profitable venture. It has been observed that at overall
level, the value of ‘r’ for fixed capital, working capital and human labour in case of white button mushroom was
greater than unity indicating underutilization of these resources and increase in their use would increase production.
Similarly in case of oyster mushroom the value of ‘r’ for fixed capital was lesser than unity, which means
overutilization of this resource and reduction in its use would increase production. The optimum plan was developed
for existing mushroom cultivation in the study area which revealed the possibility of increasing the farm profitability
by optimum utilization of the available resources. The mean technical efficiency was observed 80 per cent in case of
white button mushroom and 79 per cent in case of oyster mushroom, which indicated that on an average only 20 per
cent and 21 per cent respectively of the mushroom growers fell short of maximum possible frontier level of
technology. The socio-economic characteristics of the variables such as education, experience, household size and
managerial skill index have significant impact on technical efficiency. Four marketing channels were found prevalent
in the study area for marketing of white button mushroom. Among these Channel –B, consisting Producer-Retailer-
Consumer was found to be most preferred as 42.80 per cent of the quantity was marketed through this channel. In case
of oyster mushroom, Channel –A i.e. Producer-Consumer was found to be most preferred as 36.03 per cent of the
mushroom was marketed through this channel in the study area. The findings of the study recommend optimum
resource utilization so that desired growth in mushroom cultivation and production can be achieved.