Mushroom

Mushroom cultivation is identified as one of the potential activities under Cooperative sector which can be developed through cooperative institutions. UKCDP directorate planned a Cooperative-Corporate Partnership (CCP) model for development of this project. Under this model, UKCDP onboarded Joint Venture Partner (organization with existing business in mushroom) through RfP process to form a Joint Venture Company in collaboration with District Cooperative Development Federation (DCDF) for development and management of mushroom value chain.

The project plans to facilitate income opportunities for at least 1000 farmers in the identified districts of Uttarakhand in the initial phase. In the first phase, Button and Oyster mushroom are targeted and in the next phase, Ganoderma and Shitake may be taken up depending upon the financial feasibility. It will support augmenting the mushroom bag distribution, collection, processing, marketing, and distribution capacity of the producers in an organized manner.

The project focuses on expanding decentralized production of all four mushroom in potential production zone, whereas, collection, storage processing and product development process will be carried out at centralized manner in Dehradun. Further, MPACS will provide loans to farmers to purchase mushroom bags as well as procurement support under Deen Dayal Upadhyay Krishi Kalyan Yojana.

Some of the key activities (not limited) of a Joint Venture Company are outlined below:

• Mushroom Value Chain Development across the districts of Uttarakhand around identified areas
• Identification of locations, MPACS, farmers, and key project stakeholders
• Onboarding of vendors for infrastructure, bag suppliers, etc.
• Implementation and operationalization of the project
• Farmers’ and MPACS training for mushroom cultivation management in convergence with Government Departments & schemes
• Buyback arrangements from farmers and ensure market linkages
• End-to-end project management and maintenance
• Facilitating services such as procurement, logistics, buyback arrangements, etc.
• Developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be followed across the locations
• Business Development and expansion across the districts
• Conducting promotional activities and marketing