Socio-economic and Psychological Analysis of Mushroom Growers in Haryana

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21356715

Rupesh¹, Jasvinder Kaur², Pardeep Chahal³, and Nitin Bhardwaj⁴
(Department of Agricultural Extension, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana^1,3, Extension Education Institute, Nilokheri, Haryana², and Department of Maths & Statistic CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, Haryana⁴)

Mushroom cultivation, regarded as a non-conventional agricultural venture, offers significant opportunities for enhancing income generation and improve the rural livelihood. The entrepreneurial mindset of mushroom growers, persuaded by various socio-economic factors, played a crucial role in the success of this sector; however, this sector remains relatively unexplored among mushroom producers. The demand for mushrooms continues to grow globally, but India has yet to leverage the opportunity to develop a robust mushroom entrepreneurship sector. This study was intended to examine the socio-economic and psychological characteristics of mushroom growers in Haryana. This current research evaluated the entrepreneurial traits and production limitations of 60 mushroom cultivators, with an emphasis on scientific orientation, risk-taking capacity, achievement motivation, decision-making proficiency, information-seeking behavior, and digital engagement. The research involved respondents from various socio-economic backgrounds, and it revealed that 51.67% of them were middle-aged (36-50 years), 60% of the farmers had senior school education or higher, and the majority 58.33% were primarily engaged in farming. Moreover, 51.67% of the respondents had more than five years of experience in mushroom cultivation. The study shows a significant gender disparity, with 85% male participation. Education and experience significantly influenced the adoption of modern cultivation techniques and improved farm management practices. Furthermore, 61.67% of farmers had received only one training program, and 58.34% had medium levels of extension contact. The research underscores that growers possess moderate entrepreneurial potential but continue to face barriers in digital adoption, Fluctuating market conditions, digital integration, access to resources and capacity building. These issues need to be addressed to enhance the growth of mushroom cultivation into a profitable and sustainable mushroom farming in India.