Kerala is gearing up to set up mushroom villages in 50 new locations under the second phase of a programme rolled out by the State Horticulture Mission-Kerala (SHM-Kerala).
A report in The Hindu noted that the move followed the initial phase of the project, launched in 2024-25 across 20 Assembly constituencies, and aimed to deepen mushroom farming networks across the State.
The broader mission, titled Comprehensive Development of Mushroom Villages in Kerala, seeks to open up opportunities in mushroom cultivation, particularly for farmers and rural women.
Officials say the programme also touches on food security and potential micro-business ventures for the state’s agriculture sector.
Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode and Kannur districts are expected to get five villages each. Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Kottayam will each have four, while Kollam and Ernakulam are set for three each.
Two mushroom villages each will be launched in Idukki and Kasaragod, while Pathanamthitta and Wayanad will see one village each. Thrissur will get six more mushroom villages under this round of expansion.
Button mushrooms are widely grown across India, but Kerala's climate seems better suited for varieties like the oyster mushroom, milky mushroom and paddy straw mushroom.
Among the oyster types, the commonly cultivated ones are Pleurotus florida, Pleurotus sajor-caju and Pleurotus eous. Officials from SHM-Kerala say these species tend to perform well in the state's weather conditions and are relatively manageable for small-scale cultivators.
