Mushroom farming brings spawning success for Tripura man

Babul Debnath, after losing his teaching job, all of a sudden thought of getting self-employed by producing mushrooms. He took up training at Asansol in Kolkata and started his mushroom production centre.

Agartala: The semi-rural pocket of Fatikcherra, located in the outskirts of Agartala city, was known for its high-value White Tea. But recently sacked from his teaching job, Babul Debnath all of a sudden thought of getting self-employed by producing mushrooms.

He took up training at Asansol in Kolkata and started his mushroom production centre. He also earned a sobriquet of "Milky King" by other mushroom cultivators of the area.

Debnath might not be having chalk and duster in his hands but still, he was among progressive farmers imparting teachings on mushroom cultivation.

“I have done Milky Mushroom on a large scale and I have motivated a lot of farmers who work across the state and this is why they have given me this name of "Milky King”, he explained.

Describing his long association with Mushroom, he said, “I have been in the Mushroom cultivation for a long time. Even before I joined services, I had explored many ways to start something on my own."

He also said he started cultivation of button mushroom last year but due to some technicalities, his harvest was ruined.

Debnath further explains that button mushroom is a specific kind of mushroom that is usually grown in cold areas and in Tripura, it can be grown only in the winter season.

"Last year I underwent training at Asansol and developed a seed chain for cultivating this specific kind of Mushroom. Now, this year, I have made 30 tons of compost” he said.

Apart from button mushroom, Babul also cultivates Milky mushroom and Oyster Mushroom.

He said he has a group of farmers across the state who come to his place and exchange ideas related to the mushroom cultivation.

“Farmers from different parts of the state come to me and I guide them with as far as my knowledge about mushroom cultivation is concerned”, said Babul.

On hearing about his success, local MLA Krishnadhan Das visited his Mushroom farm.

Expressing his satisfaction Das applauded Debnath and asked him to be vocal for any demands if required.

Babul also requested the MLA to include the mushroom in the mid-day meal project so that more and more farmers can opt for mushroom cultivation and get benefitted.