ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF SMALL, MARGINAL AND LANDLESS FARMERS THROUGH VALUE ADDITION IN BUTTON MUSHROOM (AGARICUS BISPORUS): A SUCCESS STORY FROM ALMORA DISTRICT OF UTTARAKHAND

Abstract

Mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) is the most important nutritionally rich food consuming by 
human being in the world. This commodity needs proper processing and value addition 
infrastructure to increase shelf life and to enhance commercial production as well as the 
productivity. The present study was carried out at Hawalbagh, Dhauladevi, Takula and 
Dadimkhola blocks of Almora district. The benefit-cost ratio and break-even point of the value 
addition enterprises were worked out. The study showed that all enterprises spending 89.8
percent of funds as variable cost and 10.2 percent as fixed cost for the value addition in button 
mushroom in the form of pickle. Purchasing of raw materials and depreciation on the 
processing room are the major variable and fixed costs, respectively. As result of non 
availability of the market structures for the mushroom pickle, the farm entrepreneurs fixed the 
pickle price by their own and it depends on expenses made for the pickle preparation and 
demand for the product. The study also revealed that as compare to all other entrepreneurs from 
all blocks of Almora district, the fifth entrepreneur from Takula block received maximum net 
profit of Rs. 10324.6. BC ratio and break even analysis tools showed that all enterprises are 
efficient and they are gaining the profits of Rs. 0.61 per rupee of investment and net return 
increasing beyond the break even point. Being economically sound and generating additional 
incomes, the farmer entrepreneurs were satisfied in adopting the technology.