IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT)

e-ISSN: 2319-2402, p- ISSN: 2319-2399.Volume 19, Issue 7 Ser. II (July 2025), PP 09-12
www.iosrjournals.org

“Sustainable Solutions For Agricultural Waste

Management And Food Security Through Mushroom
Cultivation In India”
UmeshSikarware, Dr.R.K. Tenguria*
Institution: Government MotilalVigyanMahavidyalaya, Bhopal – 462008
Corresponding author E- mail: [email protected]

Abstract
Agriculture is a vital sector in India's economy, but the escalating demand for food has caused significant
environmental challenges, particularly due to the incineration of agricultural residues. Annually, India
produces approximately 500-550 million tons of such waste, with around 85 million tons burned, contributing to
air pollution and climate change. This paper explores how mushroom farming utilizing agricultural waste as a
substrate could serve as a sustainable and effective solution. Mushrooms, rich in nutrients, can grow on various
waste materials, offering farmers an additional income stream while simultaneously reducing waste and
environmental impact. By repurposing agricultural residues, mushroom cultivation supports a circular economy
and enhances food security by introducing nutritious options into diets. Future research should focus on
optimizing growth techniques and investigating mushroom properties to improve yield and sustainability.
Integrating mushroom farming into conventional agriculture could help combat food shortages and promote
rural development, providing economic and environmental benefits.
Keywords:Agricultural waste, environmental impact, mushroom cultivation, sustainability, waste management,
circular economy, rural development etc.
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Date of Submission: 11-07-2025 Date of Acceptance: 21-07-2025
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I. Introduction
Agriculture has long served as the foundation of India's economy. However, the rapid increase in
population and consequent food demand have expanded agricultural activities, leading to large-scale generation
of crop residues and environmental pollution. India annually produces roughly 500-550 million tons of crop
residues, of which about 85 million tons are burned in the fields (Anon, 2009). This practice, often depicted in
Figure 1, is a quick method used by farmers to prepare land for the next crop cycle, primarily to control weeds,
pests, and diseases (Pathak et al., 2010).

Fig 1: farmer burning stubble

Burning residues significantly contributes to pollution, releasing particulate matter, greenhouse gases,
and toxic pollutants into the atmosphere, which threaten environmental and human health globally (Sharma et
al., 2010; Gurjaret al., 2016). Specifically, in northwest India, burning alone accounts for approximately 20%

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 “Sustainable Solutions For Agricultural Waste Management And Food Security……..

of agricultural carbon emissions (Lohan et al., 2018). The practice causes loss of essential nutrients and organic
carbon, exacerbates climate change, and worsens air quality, especially during peak burning seasons (Jitendraet
al., 2017).

II. Types Of Agricultural Waste

Agricultural residues fall into two main categories: (1) crop residues left in the field, such as stems,
stalks, leaves, and roots, and (2) agro-industrial residues generated during processing, including shells, husks,
bran, and straw (Gowda et al., 2019). Data from 2018-19 report the production of over 683 million tonnes of
crop residues, with surplus quantities amounting to approximately 178 Mt. Of these, around 87 Mt are burned
annually, intensifying pollution issues (Dattaet al., 2020).

Table 1: Chemical composition of various agriculture wastes:

Waste Type Composition (%)
Wheat straw Cellulose 32.9, Hemicellulose 24.0, Lignin 8.9, Ash 6.7, Total solids 95.6%, Moisture 7.0%
Rice straw Cellulose 39.2, Hemicellulose 23.5, Lignin 36.1, Ash 12.4, Total solids 98.6%, Moisture 6.5%
Sugarcane bagasse Cellulose 30.2, Hemicellulose 56.7, Lignin 13.4, Ash 1.9, Total solids 91.6%, Moisture 4.8%

III. Environmental Impact Of Crop Residue Burning

Residue burning significantly affects air quality by releasing pollutants like methane (CH4), carbon
monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO 2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and soot
particles (Sharma et al., 2010). In India, particularly in Delhi, particulate matter (PM) emissions from burning
residues are 17 times higher than other pollution sources (Jitendraet al., 2017). This leads to climate
repercussions as fine black and brown carbon particles alter light absorption, contributing to rapid climate
change (Bhuvaneshwariet al., 2019).
Burning one ton of straw results in the loss of significant nutrients, including organic carbon, nitrogen,
phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, thus degrading soil fertility and increasing atmospheric pollution (NPMCR,
2014).

IV. Sustainable Utilization Of Agricultural Waste

Organic Fertilizers
Recycling crop residues into organic fertilizers and compost enhances soil health, boosts productivity,
and reduces pollution. Proper nutrient analysis ensures balanced fertilization, with phosphorus being a critical
element (Deviantiet al., 2021).

Biofuels
Conversion of agro-residues, such as rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, and corn stalks, into biofuels
through fermentation, gasification, or anaerobic digestion offers a renewable energy alternative. This process
helps meet energy demands while limiting waste and environmental emissions (Duhanet al., 2013; Kumar et
al., 2014, 2016).

Antibiotics from Agricultural Waste

Certain microbes produce antibiotics that can be extracted from agricultural by-products like corn cobs,
rice husks, and peanut shells. These materials, rich in bioactive compounds, are suitable for low-cost antibiotic
production via solid-state fermentation under appropriate conditions (Tripathi, 2008; Kashifet al., 2022).

Mushroom Cultivation
Mushrooms, a valuable nutritional resource, can be cultivated on lignocellulosic waste materials. These
fungi efficiently decompose organic matter, demonstrating their sustainability and versatility.

V. Why Focus On Mushroom Cultivation?

India faces the risk of future food shortages due to its vast population of over 1.4 billion, heightening
the importance of alternative protein sources. Mushrooms provide a high-yield, nutrient-dense food option with
low space requirements (Kamalakannanet al., 2020).
They contain a variety of sugars, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds like
phenolics and beta-glucans, which contribute to their health benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
immunomodulatory, and anticancer effects (Das & Prakash,2022; Zhang et al., 2021). Mushrooms are low in
calories and fat yet rich in dietary fiber and essential nutrients, making them an excellent addition to a healthy
diet.

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 “Sustainable Solutions For Agricultural Waste Management And Food Security……..

VI. Agricultural Waste As An Ideal Substrate For Mushroom Cultivation

Using agricultural waste as a substrate for mushroom cultivation offers numerous advantages:
 Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces the need for expensive commercial substrates, making cultivation accessible for
small farmers.
 Environmental Benefits: Recycling waste mitigates landfill accumulation and pollution.
 High Yield Potential: Nutrient-rich waste enhances growth and productivity.
 Nutritional Value: Mushrooms add healthy, nutrient-dense food options to the diet.
 Income Generation: Provides additional income streams, notably from high-demand varieties such as oyster
and button mushrooms.
 Soil Fertility: Post-harvest spent substrate can improve soil quality and promote sustainable farming
practices.
 Animal Feed: Spent mushroom substrate (SMS) is rich in protein and nutrients, suitable as livestock feed,
promoting sustainable animal husbandry.
 Waste Reduction: Incorporating waste into mushroom cultivation creates a circular resource cycle.

Compatible Agricultural Wastes

Various crop residues, such as wheat straw, rice straw, maize stalks, sugarcane bagasse, cotton stalks,
and banana leaves, have been successfully used as substrates for different mushroom species, including
Pleurotus, Agaricus, and Volvariella(Gowda et al., 2019).

Chemical Composition of suitable wastes

 Wheat straw: Cellulose 32.9%, Hemicellulose 24%, Lignin 8.9%
 Rice straw: Cellulose 39.2%, Hemicellulose 23.5%, Lignin 36.1%
 Sugarcane bagasse: Cellulose 30.2%, Hemicellulose 56.7%, Lignin 13.4%

VII. Benefits Of Using Agricultural Waste In Mushroom Cultivation

Economical
Reduces reliance on costly artificial substrates, making mushroom farming feasible for small-scale
operations.

Environmentally Friendly
Helps in diverting organic waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting
sustainability.

Enhanced Yield
Diverse wastes provide essential nutrients and support optimal growth, leading to higher productivity.

Nutritional Value
Mushrooms improve diets with their rich vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant content.

Income Opportunities
Farming mushrooms offers farmers additional revenue, especially for popular varieties.

Soil Enrichment
Residual substrate enhances soil organic content, promoting better crop growth.

Livestock Feed
Spent substrate can be used as a high-protein animal feed, reducing costs and supporting sustainable
farming.

Waste Management
Supports a circular economy by reusing waste materials efficiently.

VIII. Conclusion
India’s expanding population and increasing food requirements demand innovative and sustainable
solutions. Mushroom cultivation using agricultural waste presents a promising strategy to address food security,

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 “Sustainable Solutions For Agricultural Waste Management And Food Security……..

reduce environmental pollution, and promote rural livelihoods. Optimizing cultivation methods and exploring
the health benefits of different mushroom varieties can maximize these advantages.
Incorporating mushroom farming into traditional agriculture not only helps manage waste but also
offers nutritional, economic, and environmental benefits. Further research should focus on establishing effective
guidelines and integration strategies to embed mushroom cultivation into India's broader agricultural
framework, contributing to a resilient and sustainable food system.

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