Mushrooms are becoming popular in India, so the mushroom farming business is becoming very popular and profitable. The taste for fresh mushrooms is becoming popular in the Indian market, which is making mushroom farmers start growing mushrooms and earning more profits.
In addition, to be successful in mushroom farming, farmers must utilize efficient ways and modern technologies. With the right equipment and methods, you will pick up mushroom yield, decrease labor costs on the farm, and obtain high-quality mushroom growth. Apply the right techniques, and you will get the most out of what you can make through this mushroom profitable business.
5 Useful Tools in Mushroom Farming Business
Here are those 5 tools that you must use in your mushroom farm:
#1 Tool: Misting Bottle
Humidity should be kept in check if the right humidity level is necessary for the growth of mushrooms. A mushroom completely depends on a humid environment to grow and develop properly. A hand-held spray bottle is a very useful and indispensable tool that helps you mist the beds where the mushrooms grow lightly or the growing area with a fine spray of water. This consequently ensures the maintenance of proper moisture levels for mushroom production.
A diversity of valves are available in the market; they are made of plastic or metal. When buying a misting bottle, consider the aspects of fine mist dispenser, bottle size, and device transparency. If you happen to farm mushrooms on a small scale, you can also use small hand-pump sprayers.
#2 Tool: Environmental Control Systems (ECS)
An Environmental Control System (ECS) is the most advanced of its kind and helps regulate the temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide concentration of the mushroom facility. It is exactly like using a smart brain that works automatically, controlling marginally optimal growing conditions for your mushrooms.
The primary advantage is that ECS automates the whole process of environment management, which is perfect for mushroom growth without any human interaction. In addition to this, today, many ECSs also provide remote alerts and control via a smartphone app or computer.
The ECS section contains a diverse range of products, from basic to highly sophisticated systems. In deciding on the infrastructure of the mushroom farm, the main points should be the size of the farm, the level of automation needed, and the budget.
Recommended Read – Top Farming Methods in India
#3 Tool: Smart Irrigation Systems
Although the moisture level is one of the most important factors to be controlled in compost or straw, it could be not easy. It is either excessive watering or inadequate watering that severely affects mushroom yield results.
Intelligent irrigation mechanisms can overcome this challenge by automating irrigation. These systems employ sensors that measure the moisture levels in the substrate and then spray water to the beds autonomously after a pre-calculated time or real-time data has been obtained. Besides, smart irrigation systems often employ very efficient drop-by-drop irrigation practices, which reduces water wastage.
However, what may be the best is that you can control and monitor these smart irrigation systems remotely with a mobile app to keep your mushroom beds having the right amount of moisture every time.
#4 Tool: Automated Fruit Body Harvesting Systems
Mushroom harvesting has typically been a very manual activity involving a lot of labor and effort, and workers have to pick each mature mushroom fruit body carefully. This may induce labor shortages, high costs, and even harm to these fragile mushrooms due to poor handling.
Automated whole mushroom production systems have been a product of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence that have automated the harvesting process. Certain systems rely on dexterous robotic arms with suave grippers to safely grab each mushroom without crumbling it. Modern systems, more complex, can even use image recognition technology to recognize mature mushrooms that are ready for gathering.
Automating mushroom picking will dramatically boost performance, save on human hands, and prevent losses the mushrooms might suffer from inappropriate handling or damage.
#5 Tool: Mushroom Harvesting and Processing Automation
Mushrooms are cleaned and graded for sale or further processed after the harvesting. Similar to harvesting, processing is a very labor-intensive approach if done manually.
Automated harvesting and processing options that may be considered for your unit include robotic pickers, conveyor belts, and grading/packaging equipment. This equipment will sort, grade, and package your collected mushrooms speedily and effectively with minimal human contact.
In addition to increasing productivity, reducing labor costs, and keeping consistency in the quality and hygiene of your mushroom commodities, such automation of procedure is very affordable and available in India for small-scale and large-scale mushroom farms.
Bottom Line
So, these are the tools you must use in your mushroom farming business to increase your farming efficiency. These are some of the most important equipment & tools that help you create a balanced environment for your mushrooms to flourish. We understand that the choice of tools totally depends on the farm size, mushroom variety, and budget, but these tools are perfect for increased mushroom cultivation.