Why Oyster Mushrooms?
Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus) are highly sought after in the Indian market due to their fast growth cycle, high biological efficiency, and excellent nutritional profile.
Step 1: Substrate Preparation
The best substrate for Oyster mushrooms is wheat straw or paddy straw. The straw must be chopped into 2-3 inch pieces and soaked in water mixed with a small amount of formalin and bavistin to eliminate competing fungi and bacteria.
Step 2: Spawning
Once the substrate is dried to about 60% moisture, it is mixed with high-quality grain spawn. We recommend a spawning rate of 3-5% of the wet weight of the substrate. Pack the mixture tightly into polythene bags and punch small holes for aeration.
Step 3: Incubation (Spawn Run)
Place the bags in a dark room with temperatures between 24-28°C. Within 15-20 days, the white mycelium will completely colonize the substrate.
Step 4: Fruiting and Harvesting
Once fully colonized, expose the bags to fresh air, indirect light, and high humidity (80-90%). Pinheads will appear within 3-5 days. Harvest the mature mushrooms before the edges of the caps curl upwards.
Economics and ROI
A well-managed automated Oyster farm can achieve a biological efficiency of 100%, meaning 1kg of dry straw yields 1kg of fresh mushrooms. With a wholesale price of ₹120-150/kg, the ROI can be realized within the first year.