ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom ResearchChambaghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh – 173213, India
(An Institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
About ICAR-DMR, Solan
ICAR–Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) is located in Solan city of Himachal Pradesh, often described as the gateway to the state. Solan is widely known for mushroom cultivation and is popularly called the “Mushroom City of India.”
The title was declared by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh on 10 September 1997 during the Indian Mushroom Conference, organised jointly by DMR and the Mushroom Society of India.
The Directorate is a constituent institute of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
ICAR–Directorate of Mushroom Research, Chambaghat, Solan
Historical profile
1983 The National Centre for Mushroom Research and Training (NCMRT) was established at Solan during the Sixth Five Year Plan under ICAR, alongside the All India Coordinated Mushroom Improvement Project.
21 June 1987 The Centre was formally inaugurated by Dr. Gurdial Singh Dhillon, then Union Minister for Agriculture and President of the ICAR Society.
1997 The city of Solan was declared the “Mushroom City of India” on 10 September.
26 December 2008 The National Research Centre for Mushroom was upgraded to the Directorate of Mushroom Research.
Research and development
ICAR-DMR undertakes strategic and applied research across the mushroom value chain, including:
Collection, identification, conservation and genetic characterisation of mushroom germplasm
Development of high-yielding varieties and improved cultivation technologies
Production technologies for edible and specialty mushrooms
Integrated management of pests and diseases
Post-harvest technology, processing and value addition
Training and capacity building for growers, entrepreneurs, trainers and other stakeholders
All India Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom
ICAR-DMR serves as the headquarters of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Mushroom (AICRPM). Its network of coordinating and cooperating centres supports regional surveys, collection of mushroom germplasm, evaluation of strains across agro-climatic zones, and validation of technologies developed by ICAR-DMR.
Contribution to mushroom cultivation
The Directorate has contributed to advances in mushroom research, improved productivity, production practices and the dissemination of technologies suited to different agro-climatic regions of India.
It also provides services to growers and entrepreneurs, including training, spawn-related services, technical advice, consultancy and information on mushroom cultivation.
Explore ICAR-DMR
Learn more about the Directorate’s research mandate, laboratories, facilities, extension programmes and services.
