When the whole world is adopting new transformative strategies to deal with the passing Covid-19 crisis, farmers too are experimenting and venturing for new ways of earning.

Farmers have shown a renewed interest in Oyster mushroom farming which does not require much input but gives a better return. It has a high commercial value due to health considerations. The demand for mushroom has grown after the Covid-19 outbreak because of its immune-boosting power.

Mushroom cultivation has become a small-scale agriculture alternative farming option in the Northeast. It is suitable for the climatic condition of the region. Supplementation of the mushroom recipe in the northeastern diet can bridge the protein gap and improve the general health of socio-economically backward communities. It is proved to promote immune function, lower the risk of cancer, improve anaemia and good protein source for diabetic and Tuberculosis patient.

Bijon Nath, a smallholder farmer who is an active member of Farmers Club in Kunapara village Cachar district, Assam promoted by Seva Kendra Silchar (SKS) under the Caritas India FARM NE programme.

Seva Kendra Silchar is promoting farmers for diversifying their income through more than one source to cope with the looming requirements.

The organisation has promoted nutrient-rich crops to fulfil the nutritional security in the region. The farmers opted for mushroom due to its nutritional value and market price.

Farmers realizing the potential of this non-traditional cash crop have shifted their attention towards mushroom cultivation. Moreover, the consumption of mushrooms in the Northeast is a little higher than in the rest of the country.

Nath who was facing the grim reality of pandemic during the lockdown saw this as an opportunity. His less than 1.5 acres of land was not giving enough food to sustain his family. The demand for mushroom in the neighbourhood tribal communities motivated him to start mushroom cultivation.

He started with 10 packages of spawn which cost him Rs.1000/- and with all other input, he invests around Rs.3,000. He used paddy straw, spawn and polythene bags for spawning. The rice straws were cut into small pieces and soaked in water overnight which was boiled for at least an hour for sterilization. He sun-dried the wet straws for few hours then put holes around the polythene bag. He tied the bottom of the with a thread to give a circular shape to the bed and the bag was with alternate layers of straw and spawn in a 5 kg capacity bag. After spawning, he tied it with a thread to keep it in a dark room for fruiting. He used to spray water on the bed every day. The fruit of his handwork was realised when he harvested 2-2.5 kg of mushrooms.

“Now every week I sell around 5-6 kg of Mushroom at Rs.200/- per kg. During this hard time, I could earn around Rs. 20,000/- which helped me to survive. I am thankful that I learnt Mushroom cultivation,” says Nath.

Nath’s work encourages other local farmers especially the women farmer as they also started cultivating Mushroom in their localities. “Mushroom is not their Bengali traditional dish but he got the wellness of having mushrooms. Now his community accepting mushroom as good nutritious food,” added Nath.