Profitability and cost efficiency of oyster mushroom production in Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh

Abstract

The study, which was carried out in the Bilaspur area of Chhattisgarh from 2022–2023 to 2023–2024, examined the oyster mushroom's cost, return, and break-even analysis for various farmer types. The district of Bilaspur was chosen on purpose. The primary data was collected from the mushroom producers through personal interviews by survey method with the help of a well-prepared schedule and questionnaire for the mushroom production. The cost and return analysis of oyster mushroom cultivation revealed that smaller farms were more cost-efficient and profitable. Small farmers had the lowest total cost (₹13,160.05) and highest input-output ratio (4.11), with net returns of ₹40,976.10. Large farms incurred higher costs (₹40,398.76) but earned the highest gross income (₹1,19,617.41) and net returns (₹79,218.65). Production ranged from 238.16 kg (small) to 502.13 kg (large), with selling prices averaging ₹227.31/kg (small) to ₹238.22/kg (large). Break-even points were 29.74 kg (small), 58.29 kg (medium), and 101.71 kg (large), with an overall break-even at 51.15 kg.