Mushroom Farming

Subject – Agriculture

Context – Bengal’s jobless tea workers turn to mushroom farming

Concept –

India only accounts for about 2% of the world’s mushroom production, as the lion’s share is with China which accounts for over 75% of global production.
Mushroom cultivation starts in November, which is soon after the floods, and continues till the first week of March. By December, the farmer starts earning from the cultivation.
For the rest of the year, the community has some savings from mushrooms and the daily wage work to fall back on.

About Mushroom

Mushroom belonging to fungi species, is a nutritious vegetarian delicacy and a good source of high quality protein (20-35 per cent dry weight).
Mushroom is consumed as delicacy and possesses several medicinal properties.
Presently 3 varieties of mushroom are cultivated namely, Button mushroom, the paddy-straw mushroom and oyster mushroom.
Button Mushroom species is mostly cultivated mushroom globally, contributing 35-40 per cent of the world production.

Paddy straw mushrooms can grow in temperatures ranging from 35 – 40 Degree Celcius.
Oyster mushrooms on the other hand are grown in the northern plains while button mushrooms grow during the winter season.
All these mushrooms of commercial importance are grown by different methods and techniques. Mushrooms are grown in special beds known as compost beds.