The Pleurotus ostreatus is popularly known as “Oyster Mushroom” or Dhingri in India. The Oyster Mushroom is one of the most relevant fungal organisms for minerals & vitamin-rich food from various agro-wastes without composting. Oyster mushrooms are the third largest cultivated mushroom. China, the world leader in Oyster production, contributes nearly 85% of the total world production of about a million tonnes. The other countries producing oyster mushrooms include Korea, Japan, Italy, Taiwan, Thailand and Philippines. The present production of this crop in India is only around 1500 tonnes due to low domestic demand.

Caritas India (SAFBIN) in coordination with MVSS & JDSSS has trained approximately 90 smallholder farmers Oyster mushroom cultivation. 05 Oyster mushroom units have been established at smallholder farmers in Vidisha & Sagar districts of Madhya Pradesh and 20 units are in pipeline. Around 70 smallholder farmers enhanced their knowledge about mushroom cultivation. The prime objective of mushroom cultivation is to diversify nutritious food basket by accessing balance diet & food security for smallholder farmers at arms length. Moreover, the mushroom cultivation has expected to harvest approximately 1 tonne of Oyster mushroom in Sagar, Mandla & Vidisha districts of MP.

“We are so elated to see the spawn to grow a full web of root and this is going to ensure additional nutrition to our plates, delighted with the result,” says Ms. Gita Bai from Vidisha district.

The major portion of the farming sectors in Madhya Pradesh is dependent upon rainfed agriculture and its allied activities. Sagar, Vidisha & Mandla districts of Madhya Pradesh has been experienced many climatic events i.e. prolonged dry spell, humidity, frost, uncertain heavy to heavy rain and this time partially effected by locust making more vulnerable and pushing towards uncertainty.

During COVID-19 outbreak, especially the women have experienced may challenges like sufficient diet and nutrition at their level. While observing the world food day in collaboration with the local stakeholders, it was noticed, and a comprehensive plan made to add a nutritious component to their plate which can be grown locally and managed by the women collectively apart from their homestead garden.

For me this was the first time ever, I got orientation on the mushroom cultivation. It is very simple and I along with my SHFC we shall ensure it with all quality measures says Shyam bai Yadav of Bagrohi

Besides aligning the series of training session, Caritas India (SAFBIN) in coordination with MVSS & JDSSS is focusing on procuring the spawn from those ventures which have a buy-back policy for the mushroom. However, the vision has been to improve not only the dietary diversity but equally focused on building local wisdom and motivating youth in such community-level entrepreneurship. SAFBIN has principally involved the local stakeholders to ensure all quality measures with ownership to be maintained at all level to make it sustainable. Mr. Suresh Singh, Block Technical Manager (BTM) from Department of Agriculture, vidisha district has also emphasized the multi-dimensional profit of mushroom cultivation and discussed about scientific cultivation and value addition of mushroom as an income generation activity for smallholder farmers. He elaborately explained about the production technology & process, market linkages, nutritious value and procurement of inputs to the participants during the training session.

Ms. Kiran Suryavanshi, expert of Mushroom cultivation in Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh said, “Oyster mushroom has found a new home because it has not been popular in the context of Madhya Pradesh”. Then she explained about the health benefits of Oyster mushroom. The presence of polysaccharides helps to boost immunity function in the human body. However, further, she discussed fungal & bacterial diseases and its low-cost management practices.

Smallholder Adaptive Farming and Biodiversity Network (SAFBIIN) co-founded by Caritas Austria and Caritas Switzerland is aimed to ensure local food and nutritional security in the aimed and semi-arid region of Madhya Pradesh. The program is being implemented by Caritas India through MVSS, Sagar and JDSSS, Mandla the implementing partner organisations in 25 villages with most marginalised farm families.

Mushroom are highly proteinaceous and are health food. It also has medicinal value. The mushroom is free from cholesterol, have low sodium, high potassium, negligible sugar, high fibre is an only vegetarian source of vitamin-D.

The dry matter of mushrooms consists mainly of fibrous carbohydrates and further of proteins, (unsaturated) fats and a very high number of very diverse compounds: anti-oxidative polyphenols, vitamins, and inorganic elements as phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg).