Updated: 3 October 2026

For training, ICAR-DMR Solan runs paid residential courses: ₹7,500 for 5 days and ₹4,500 for a 3-day women's course, with the next batch on 26 to 30 October 2026. For money, the central MIDH norm gives private mushroom units 40% of a ₹30 lakh cost norm, and a small 200 sq ft unit 50% of ₹2 lakh, for up to 5 units. State schemes vary, and none is confirmed open for 2026-27; ask your district horticulture office.

Most of this help is credit-linked and back-ended: a bank loan is part of the project and the subsidy comes at the back end, not upfront. Check the live rules with the horticulture office before spending.

Training at ICAR-DMR Solan

ProgrammeDatesFeeLanguageRegistration opens
Mushroom cultivation, 5 days26 to 30 Oct 2026₹7,500English22 Sep 2026 (passed; ask if seats remain)
Women's programme, 3 days18 to 20 Nov 2026₹4,500Hindi13 Oct 2026
Extended programme, 9 days7 to 15 Dec 2026₹15,000English16 Nov 2026
Mushroom cultivation, 5 days18 to 22 Jan 2027₹7,500Hindi8 Dec 2026
Extended programme, 9 days15 to 23 Feb 2027₹15,000Hindi12 Jan 2027
Mushroom cultivation, 5 days15 to 19 Mar 2027₹7,500English9 Feb 2027
Spawn production, 3 days, 10 seats a batchLast listed batch 28 to 30 Sep 2026; ask for the next dates₹4,500English or HindiBy email to [email protected]
  • Who can apply: only Indian citizens with a valid ID proof. Fees are not refundable or transferable, attendance is compulsory and hostel space is limited.
  • How to apply: a Google Form linked from the ICAR-DMR training calendar, activated at 9:30 AM on the opening date. Contact: [email protected] or 01792-230767 extension 236. For spawn training, Lucky Rana 8627966834.
  • Other trainers: TNAU's Mushroom Research and Training Centre in Coimbatore trains growers and spawn makers, and ICAR-DMR's FAQ names state agricultural universities as training sources. Ask them and your KVK for fees and dates.
  • NHB applicants: a 2019-20 brochure describes a 6-day entrepreneurship course at ICAR-DMR for people planning to apply to NHB schemes. Ask NHB whether it is still required.
  • State-run batches: MIDH allows 100% assistance of ₹1,000 per farmer per day, up to 5 days, for training or exposure visits within the state, so ask the district horticulture office. The ICAR-DMR farmers helpline is 1800-180-1551 (6 AM to 10 PM, not Sundays).

MIDH assistance for mushroom units

UnitCost normAssistance (private sector)Worked out
Mushroom production unit₹30 lakh40% of cost, credit-linked back-ended40% of 30 lakh = ₹12 lakh; at 50% = ₹15 lakh
Spawn making unit₹20 lakh40%, same pattern₹8 lakh; at 50% = ₹10 lakh
Compost making unit₹30 lakh40%, same pattern₹12 lakh; at 50% = ₹15 lakh
Low-cost small-scale unit of 200 sq ft₹2 lakh per unit50% for infrastructure and inputs, maximum 5 units per beneficiary₹1 lakh per unit; ₹5 lakh for 5 units
  • Public-sector units get 100%. The rate is 50% instead of 40% in North East and Himalayan states, scheduled areas, vibrant villages, Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
  • These norms are in guidelines dated 31 December 2024. The older ₹20, ₹15 and ₹20 lakh norms of 2014, still quoted on many sites, are superseded.
  • MIDH runs through NHM (all states except the North East and Himalayan region), HMNEH (those states) and NHB (commercial horticulture, all states). The guideline annexure gives no eligibility conditions for mushroom units, so the state mission decides; check the live form and window with it.
  • ICAR-DMR's rough estimate for a 300 kg a day spawn lab is ₹54,83,260 for infrastructure and equipment (19,94,560 + 34,88,700), far above the ₹20 lakh norm. Ask the bank and mission how costs above the norm are treated.
Want help starting or getting a loan?

NHB schemes

  • NHB is the MIDH sub-scheme for commercial horticulture in all states. No NHB subsidy rate for mushroom is confirmed, so none is given here; ask NHB or the bank.
  • NHB's site carries model project reports for oyster and button mushroom (November 2005). The costs are old but the format suits a bank project report. NHB's home page links its online application page.

State schemes

StateWhat it givesWho and howStatus
Bihar, Horticulture Directorate: mushroom hutHut of 1,500 sq ft (50 x 30 ft), unit cost ₹1,79,500, subsidy 50% = ₹89,750; 25 to 100 mushroom kitsOne hut per farmer, first come first served, per a September 2025 news report. Other conditions not confirmed. Official site: horticulture.bihar.gov.inReported as running in Bhagalpur in September 2025. Current round not confirmed
Haryana, Horticulture DepartmentMushroom rates not confirmed. November 2025 reports name two registration portalsHortnet and Meri Fasal Mera ByoraNot confirmed
Uttarakhand, Mushroom Production and Marketing Scheme50% on pasteurised compost (up to 50 quintals) and spawn (up to 25 kg); 7-day training with ₹700 by DBT (secondary listing)State Horticulture Mission site shm.uk.gov.in has no mushroom page; call centre 155300Year and status not stated. Do not assume it is open

Loans

  • KCC: a working-capital card for crops, dairy and fishery. See the Kisan Credit Card page. Whether a bank gives it for a mushroom shed is the bank's decision.
  • Project loans: ICAR-DMR's FAQ says NABARD, NHB and banks lend for mushroom, spawn and compost units.
  • Mudra and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund: eligibility, rates and limits are not given here. Ask the bank whether a mushroom project qualifies.
  • Work out instalments with the EMI calculator and see other schemes in the subsidy finder.

Steps

  1. Attend an ICAR-DMR, university or KVK course.
  2. Run a small trial batch and sell it.
  3. Get a costed project report: ICAR-DMR TEFR costs ₹2,350 (up to 20 tonnes a year) to ₹29,250 (501 tonnes and above) with GST, takes about 30 days after full payment and is not refundable.
  4. Ask the district horticulture office which window is open and whether work started before sanction is eligible.
  5. Apply for the bank loan with the project report. See also project cost and mushroom farming.

Sources

More in this guide