Exploring Adoption Patterns and SWOT Analysis of Mushroom Cultivation in Saharanpur District, India

This study, conducted during 2023-2024 in Saharanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, aimed to assess the adoption levels of mushroom production practices among local growers as well as SWOT analysis. Utilizing a snowball sampling technique, 62 mushroom growers were selected, and data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a pre-tested schedule. The findings revealed that (66.12%) of growers demonstrated a medium level of adoption of key practices such as casing, disease management, harvesting, storage, and marketing. The study identified a high cost-benefit ratio as the main strength of mushroom production, while a lack of awareness about modern packaging and value addition emerged as the primary weakness. The potential for employment generation, particularly for rural and urban youth, was highlighted as a key opportunity, while vulnerability to insect pests, diseases, and nematodes was recognized as the main threat to sustainability.