Bhubaneswar: The Mushroom Conclave 2026, held today at The Crown, was organised by The Agricultural Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha Limited (APICOL), a corporation under the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment (DA&FE), Odisha, to promote mushroom cultivation as a sustainable livelihood opportunity.
The event featured technical sessions on advanced production techniques, post-harvest management, value addition, and market linkages in the mushroom sector.
Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said that Odisha is one of the leading states in mushroom production, accounting for 11% of overall production in India. He described mushrooms as a “superfood” due to their rich nutrient content, being fat-free and low in cholesterol, and highlighted that their cultivation is organic and environmentally sustainable. The Odisha government is promoting mushroom cultivation through subsidies under MKUY, developing market linkage roadmaps, and providing robust logistic support.
During the conclave, a new website for APICOL was launched, and Go-Ahead letters were distributed to mushroom producers for setting up production and spawn units by Deputy Chief Minister Singh Deo.
Apart from the ceremonial session, nine expert speakers shared valuable insights on various technical aspects of mushroom cultivation and its value chain. The conclave witnessed active participation from over 170 attendees across Odisha, including members of the Mushroom Federation, reflecting strong interest from both the farming and entrepreneurial communities.
During the ceremonial session, eminent dignitaries addressed the gathering. Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the DA&FE Department, Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, highlighted that mushroom cultivation provides quick returns and profits within a short duration, while consuming less water compared to other crops or vegetables. Other dignitaries included Subrat Kumar Panda, Director of Horticulture Kalunge Gorakh Waman, VC of OUAT Prabhat Kumar Raul, Dr. V P Sharma, Shubhranshu Mishra (Managing Director, APICOL), and Prof. (Dr.) Adwaita Kumar Patra, Chairman of the Odisha Mushroom Growers Federation, who emphasised the role of mushroom cultivation in strengthening farmer incomes and rural livelihoods.
So far, 1,207 farmers have received approval to set up various mushroom-based enterprises, including spawn production units and cultivation & processing units for paddy straw, oyster, and button mushrooms. Additionally, 207 entrepreneurs have already received subsidies to establish their enterprises, reflecting the growing momentum in the sector. Many scientists, specialists from OUAT, and entrepreneurs participated in the conclave.
The event reinforced Odisha’s vision of developing a strong, market-driven mushroom ecosystem and expanding income opportunities for farmers.
