Haldwani (Uttarakhand): Local women in the Gorapadav area of Himachal Pradesh's Haldwani district have brought meaning to their hardword after getting a noteworthy success in mushroom farming.
These are not like ordinary mushrooms or button mushrooms, which is available in the market. These are oyster mushrooms — an organic mushroom that is not only full of nutrition but also fetches a higher price in the market.
For the first time, women of the Manokamna Support Group are engaged in the production of oyster mushrooms at Gorapadav in the Nainital district.
The speciality of this mushroom lies in the fact that it is different from the button mushroom. No chemical or fertilizer is used during the production of this mushroom.
The demand for organic oyster mushrooms produced by women is also picking up. Currently, all women from the support group are selling their mushrooms in the Haldwani market and nearby areas.
After drying this organic mushroom, it is fetching from Rs 800 to Rs 1000 per kg in the market. As a result, the women who are engaged in producing oyster mushroom are now becoming self-sufficient financially as well.
The women of the Manokamna Support Group say that at present mushroom production is being done on a small scale. Half a dozen women of the group are cultivating mushrooms. Raw mushrooms are priced at Rs 160 per kg. It is more nutritious than the button mushrooms found in the markets. The same mushrooms are in demand in the markets from Rs 800 to Rs 1000 kg after their drying.
DRY MUSHROOM IS VERY BENEFICIAL FOR GYMNAST
The demand for dried mushrooms is said to be very beneficial for those who go to the gym for health and body benefits. Dry mushrooms are being demanded by gym operators as well. Apart from this, it is also being used to make mushroom pickle, which is very tasty.
METHODS OF PRODUCING ORGANIC OYSTER MUSHROOMS
* Oyster mushrooms can be produced in a small room.
* Button mushrooms require more space as well as moisture.
* It has been commonly observed that button mushrooms are grown by mixing compost manure with urea
* Oyster mushrooms are grown only by soaking the straw and adding mushroom seeds in a polythene bag, which is produced as an umbrella.
* While button mushroom is used within 24 hours, the speciality of oyster mushroom is that it can be dried and used as a soup as well.
* It is said that oyster mushroom soup is in demand in many big restaurants and hotels.
* It has been commonly observed that button mushrooms deteriorate if they are not sold.
* Oyster mushroom is not spoiled. It can be dried in the sunlight and supplied and sold in the market.
According to organic farming trainer Anil Pandey, organic mushrooms can prove to be a boon for women, as oyster mushrooms are prepared completely by the organic method. Oyster mushrooms have a higher nutritional value than button mushrooms. In such a situation, if the cultivation of this mushroom is propagated on a large scale, then it can become the means of livelihood.
Organic mushroom production is a new business in Uttarakhand. This work started first in Pauri and Dehradun of Uttarakhand, but after the lockdown, this work is now being adopted by others as well. In the hill districts like Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh, mushroom production is now taking place at many places. This can be a source of a good income as the cost of production is very low. Therefore, to start it, only Rs 15,000 to Rs 20 thousand is needed and some 3000 square feet of space is enough.
The government also believes that there is no employment for youths in the hill districts of Uttarakhand. So, now the young men and women of the state are doing well to expand the small business of mushrooms. All that is required is the government’s support to encourage them from time to time.
