Punjab offers Rs 80,000 subsidy for mushroom farming

Chandigarh, July 4

The Punjab government is offering subsidies of up to ₹80,000 to encourage more farmers to take up mushroom cultivation, as it seeks to reduce dependence on traditional crops and boost rural incomes. For many small farmers facing rising costs and uncertain returns from crops such as wheat and rice, mushroom farming is being promoted as an alternative that requires less land and water while offering the potential for higher earnings. Under the state’s horticulture scheme, farmers can receive a subsidy covering 40% of the cost of setting up a mushroom production unit, up to a maximum of ₹80,000. Officials estimate that a small unit can be established for around ₹2 lakh.

Punjab’s Horticulture Minister, Mohinder Bhagat, said a production unit could be set up on about 1,800 sq ft (167 sq m), making it accessible even for small and marginal farmers. The government says the initiative forms part of its wider effort to encourage crop diversification and improve farm incomes in a state where agriculture remains a major source of livelihoods.

Farmers interested in the scheme can apply through their district horticulture offices. The department said it would also provide technical guidance, training and other support to help growers begin mushroom cultivation.