India: Mushroom cultivation gains popularity as alternative farming option
Realizing the potential of this non-traditional cash-crop, many people in the region are shifting their attention towards mushroom cultivation.
The Ministry of Rural Development runs a special scheme on mushroom farming, which motivates many farmers to adopt this alternative form of farming.
"The climate of Tripura is suitable for Mushroom Cultivation. There are wide varieties of mushrooms available in the forests and the tribal people collect them and sell it in the market. But this is not available the whole year. We want to increase mushroom cultivation. So,the ICAR is giving training to promote mushroom cultivation." said Hemabati R, scientist, ICAR.
Mushroom consumption in India is comparatively low, but 55 per cent of the households consume mushrooms in their daily diet.
The consumption in the northeast is a little higher than the rest of the country.
As climatic conditions in the northeast suit mushroom farming, efforts are on to encourage more farmers to take on mushroom as an alternative farming option.
Source: business-standard.com
