Abstract:
Mushroom cultivation is considered as a profitable agribusiness and has greater
relevance, to the rural development. The various problems encountered in this
industry have not been discussed enough. The current investigation was carried out
in order to address problems and prospects of mushroom cultivation in two DS
divisions in Matara, Akuressa and Kamburupitiya. Forty mushroom growers (MG)
were selected from Kamburupitiya and Akuressa DS Divisions and primary data
were collected by a field survey using a questionnaire while personal interviews and
systematic field observations were also done. It was found that 53% of the
respondents belong to the age group between 41-60 years. Female involvement in
the industry was 55%. Among interviewed cultivators 52% was engaged full time in
this industry. Majority of the farmers involved in the cultivation in small scale using
mainly family labour (92%) and expecting only a secondary income (80%).
Identified major constraints were pest and disease problems, low quality and less
availability of spawns, high initial investment, and high costs of raw materials.
There is no marketing problem for the product. Most of the respondents (60%) do
not have any idea of post harvest technologies. Forty nine percent of the
respondents believe that they encounter some allergic reactions due to mushroom
spores. The cultivators expect to receive training on pests and diseases management,
proper cultivation practices and value, addition in order to expand their production.
Average monthly production in these two areas was 178 bags per person. The
average gross margin per bag was Rs. 37.00. The income gain from the enterprise to
supplement the family income, availability of inputs, interest of the growers and
market potential are positive factors of the enterprise if the problems encountered in
the production process is properly addressed.
