Want a small low cost mushroom unit in a spare room. Looking for steps, substrate and spawn basics.
How to start oyster mushroom farming at home in Kerala with low investment?
AAnil Kumar10mo ago · 372 views
3 Answers
🌾Farmer.in Krishi TeamExpert ✓10mo ago
Oyster mushroom is the easiest and cheapest mushroom to start at home in Kerala because it grows on cheap paddy straw at normal room temperature. Soak chopped, clean paddy straw, pasteurise it in hot water or steam, drain well, then layer it with oyster spawn in perforated polybags. Hang or stack the bags in a dark, humid room for spawn run, then move to light and spray water to keep humidity high. First flush comes in roughly 20 to 30 days from filling, with two to three flushes per bag. A small home unit can start with very low investment, mainly spawn, bags and straw, and a single room. Sell fresh locally as oyster mushrooms are popular in Kerala. Keep everything clean to avoid green mould contamination, and buy fresh good quality spawn from a reliable lab or KVK. Many KVKs run short training courses.
SSreeja10mo ago
I started oyster mushrooms in a spare room with very little money. Cleanliness is the main thing, wash hands and tools, or green mould ruins the bags. Fresh spawn matters a lot. I sell to neighbours and a couple of shops, demand is good here.
JJoshy9mo ago
Take a one or two day training from your KVK before starting, it saved me from mistakes. Humidity control is key, I spray water a few times a day. Straw must be pasteurised well or you get contamination.