Horticulture dept to market mushroom seed

For the first time in Karnataka, mushroom seed packets are being made in Mysore to popularise its cultivation. As many as 15,000 mushroom seed packets are being prepared, each packet with 250 gramme seeds priced at Rs 10 each, said M S Raju, Senior Assistant Director of Horticulture, State Zone.

Presiding over a day-long training programme on mushroom cultivation under the aegis of the Laboratory Development Scheme of the Horticulture Department at Kukkarahalli Lake here recently, he said, the demand for mushroom was on the rise as they are protein-rich. The demand is increasing not only in India but also abroad. As a result, there is good market potential to tap, by taking up mushroom cultivation. Farmers, women and unemployed youth can take up its cultivation to take advantage of the good demand and increase their revenue.

The department, will organisie a week-long training in mushroom cultivation in Mysore, along with watermelon mela and mango mela. The mushroom mela too will be organised next month.

Highlighting the nutrition value of mushrooms, he said consumption of mushroom as part of a regular diet will enhance nutrition. Besides being protein-rich, it helps in curing anemia, reduces body fat and controls diabetes.

Mushroomms can be easily cultivated as a commercial crop using moist wheat or paddy straw wherever possible and improve one's revenue, said Janardhan of the Department of Botany, Mysore University. Mushrooms are fruit-bearing parts of fungus and its extracts are used for manufacturing anti-biotic tablets, drugs and tonics, he said.

Time had come when farmers have to think of increasing crop yield using less land, water and manure. This has become a major challenge against the background of climate change and scarcity of agricultural land.

Under this scenario, farmers should take up cultivating crops like mushrooms, he said while explaining the technical aspect of mushroom cultivation. The programme was attended by over 100 farmers, women and youth.

Meanwhile, the department has organised field day and seminar on March 18 on Mysore's famous products, Mysore jasmine (Mysore mallige) and Mysore betel leaf which have secured geographical indicator (GI) tags, Raju has said.

These much sought-after products have almost disappeared from the market, as farmers have either given up their cultivation chosing better revenue yielding produces or sold away their lands for higher returns.