Agartala, February 07, 2026: An amount of ₹1.08 crore will be disbursed for setting up a high-level Mushroom Spawn Production Unit in West Tripura district during a mega programme to be held in Agartala on February 11. The initiative aims to strengthen local mushroom cultivation and enhance livelihood opportunities for women self-help group members under the Tripura Rural Livelihood Mission (TRLM).

At present, mushroom spawn—the essential “seed” required for mushroom cultivation—is procured from outside the state. With the establishment of the new spawn production unit in West Tripura, this dependency will be eliminated. The facility will enable local production of quality spawn, which will be made available to interested TRLM women members, popularly known as didis, at a low cost. Officials said this move is expected to significantly boost mushroom production in the state and augment the income of rural women engaged in the activity.

As part of preparatory efforts, a team of TRLM officials recently visited Solan in Himachal Pradesh to study innovative practices adopted there in mushroom spawn production. The visit helped the team gain hands-on exposure to modern techniques and management practices required for operating such units efficiently.

A mushroom spawn production unit is a specialised and controlled facility designed to produce high-quality spawn for mushroom farming. It requires sterile environments and specialised equipment such as autoclaves, laminar airflow hoods and incubators. The production process includes preparation of mother culture, sterilisation of substrates like grains or sawdust, inoculation and incubation, with strict measures to prevent contamination.

Officials stated that the proposed unit will be developed with the necessary infrastructure, power supply and technical expertise to ensure reliable and contamination-free spawn production. Once operational, the unit is expected to play a crucial role in promoting mushroom cultivation as a sustainable livelihood option across West Tripura and other parts of the state.