SHILLONG: Despite financial constraints, the State Government is all set to launch the Mushroom Mission most likely in October to boost mushroom production in the state to 5000 MT in three years from the current 20 MT.
This year, the state government had launched the Lakadong Turmeric Mission, Honey Mission and Jackfruit Mission.
Voicing concerns over financial constraints, the Agriculture and Horticulture Minister, Banteidor Lyngdoh told The Shillong Times, “We will do a follow up on the various missions and we are planning to seek funds from the Central government.” Lyngdoh had apprised the Union Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh for the fund allocation for the missions.
Recently, Lyngdoh also sought the intervention of the Union Minister on appropriate and liberal enhancements in allocations under Central sponsored schemes for farmers.
With the agricultural department embarking on numerous missions to promote agricultural produce, he said the progress of such missions will be discussed with the department considering the livelihood and economic development of people engaged in agriculture.
Centre help sought
Lyngdoh had submitted a memorandum to Singh highlighting the opportunities and scope available with mushroom cultivation in the state.
Lyngdoh pointed out that the total production of mushroom in the state is just about 20 MT whereas the state could take it up to 5000 MT in just about three years time.
He said Meghalaya has an ambient climate for mushroom cultivation and both wild and cultivated mushrooms can thrive well.
Stating that only a few species have been available for cultivation, he said the species cultivated in the state are button mushroom and oyster mushroom.
“Though there is enormous potential for Shiitake mushroom, we have not yet been able to produce any commercial quantities of shiitake,” he said.
Lyngdoh said the Mission will focus mainly on the production of oyster mushroom, button mushroom and shiitake mushroom.
The minister added that the demand for mushroom in the market is increasing which is evident from the sales of mushroom.
The price varies from Rs 250 to Rs 300 per kg.
Pointing out that many people have started taking up mushroom cultivation, he said the government felt the need to come up with a mission on Mushroom
“The Mushroom Mission is for recognising the mushroom cultivators so that the government can extend necessary help to the cultivators. It is going to be a huge project,” Lyngdoh said.
Asked on the number of deaths resulting from mushroom consumption, he said with the different varieties of wild mushroom abound in forests, there is a need to spread awareness on the varieties of mushroom to the mushroom cultivators.
“Awareness will be given to the cultivators on the kind of mushrooms which are edible. Deaths resulting from mushroom cultivation are taken very seriously,” he said.
The minister said mushrooms are mostly grown in Laitdiengsai village in Mawkynrew and Laitkyrhong, as well as in parts of Pynursla, Ri-Bhoi district and in Garo Hills.