An analysis of production and marketing constraints in mushroom cultivation: A study of Basti district eastern of Uttar Pradesh
Abstract
This study examined the challenges faced by mushroom growers in production and marketing. Garrett's ranking method was used to prioritize and analyze respondent data. Participants were selected through a multi-stage sampling process that combined purposive and random techniques in the Harraiya and Kaptanganj blocks. During the 2025-26 agricultural year, structured questionnaires facilitated personal interviews with 100 farmers. The data collected was categorized into two primary areas: (i) production constraints and (ii) marketing constraints. Production constraints revealed that pest and disease infestation was the most critical issue, with a Garrett score of 56.53. Following closely was the lack of institutional credit facilities, scoring 53.64. Other notable constraints included lack of awareness about input subsidies (51.91), uncertain whether phenomena (50.19), lack of knowledge about advanced production technology (48.10), high cost of spawn and other inputs (44.96) and lack of elite planting material (spawn) (41.67). These constraints were ranked II through VII in the production category. Among marketing constraints, the absence of cold storage facilities had the highest Garrett score (58.25). Price fluctuations and perishability (53.26) was the next most significant constraint, followed by menaces of middlemen (48.23), seasonal demand and high bargaining power (48.60), growers' lack of technical knowledge about processing (47.58), lack of knowledge about potential consumers (46.8), and delay and deduction of payment (44.28). These marketing factors were assigned ranks II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII, respectively.
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Introduction
Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), part of the Agaricaceae family, is the most widely grown edible mushroom globally, holding a significant share of the world mushroom industry. It is prized for its nutritional value, medicinal benefits, appealing flavor and commercial significance. The white button mushroom is extensively cultivated under controlled conditions in Europe, North America, China and India, making it one of the most economically important edible fungi worldwide, (Usman et al. 2021) [8] . Fresh button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) are composed of about 92.4% water, containing 3.09 g of protein, 3.26 g of carbohydrates, 0.34 g of fat and 1.0-2.0 g of dietary fiber per 100 g fresh weight, providing 22 kcal of energy. They are also rich in vital vitamins, especially riboflavin (vitamin B₂), niacin (vitamin B₃), pantothenic acid (vitamin B₅) and vitamin D₂ after UV exposure. Additionally, they supply minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, selenium, iron, copper and zinc. Due to their low fat and calorie content and the presence of bioactive compounds like β-glucans, ergothioneine and phenolics, button mushrooms are considered a valuable functional food with potential health benefits, as highlighted by Atila et al. (2017) [1] . Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is not only a nutritious food choice but also a source of biologically active compounds. These compounds are known for their antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-hypercholesterolemic and immunomodulatory effects. The fruiting bodies provide high-quality proteins with essential amino acids, dietary fiber, polysaccharides, vitamins and minerals, all of which support human nutrition and well-being. Due to its health benefits and nutritional profile, global consumption of button mushrooms has grown significantly in recent years (Singh et al. 2025) [5] .
Objective of the study
To identify production and marketing constraints faced by sample respondents and suggest suitable policies.
Materials and Methods
The study was conducted in Basti district, Uttar Pradesh, an area notable for its significant mushroom farming activities. Two blocks, Harraiya and Kaptanganj, were deliberately chosen because of their large number of active mushroom growers. A multi-stage random sampling method was used to select 100 respondents (2×5×10), ensuring proportional representation from both blocks and their villages. The goal was to identify challenges hindering the adoption of improved mushroom cultivation techniques among these farmers. A structured interview schedule aligned with the study's objectives and variables was used for organized data collection. Primary data were gathered through personal interviews and discussions with informants and experienced farmers knowledgeable about local mushroom cultivation, while secondary data came from reputable sources like the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to supplement the primary data.
Constraints Analysis: Garrett's Ranking Technique
This method involved asking respondents to rank all factors. The resulting ranking was then converted into a score value using the following formula: (Supriya et [7,4,9,3,6] .
Percent Position = 100(𝑅 𝑖𝑗 -0.5)
𝑁 𝑗
Where: 𝑅 𝑖𝑗 = Rank given to the i th constraint by the j th respondent 𝑁 𝑗 = Total number of constraints ranked by the j th respondent
The percentage position is converted to scores by consulting the table provided by Garrett and Woodworth (1969). Then, the scores for each individual were summed for each factor and the total and mean values were calculated. The most influential factors were identified by ranking the mean scores of all factors in descending order. Factors with the highest mean value were deemed to be the most significant. and delay and deduction of payment (44.28). These findings suggest the need for strengthening institutional credit services, improving extension support, establishing cold storage infrastructure and promoting direct market linkages to enhance the profitability and sustainability of mushroom cultivation in the region.
Results and Discussion
Production Constraints Faced by Mushroom Growers
Marketing Constraints Faced by Mushroom Growers
Acknowledgement
The authors sincerely thank Dr. Supriya for her invaluable guidance, thoughtful suggestions and steadfast encouragement throughout this research. They also express their deep gratitude to the mushroom growers of Basti district, Uttar Pradesh, whose cooperation and generous sharing of information during the field survey made this study possible.
References
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