In the present situation there are many economic opportunities available for everybody. The Central government, the state government as well as the various NGOs, of the state of Nagaland have been promoting different activities for economic welfare of the different strata of society. Still then the less developed rural areas remain economically in doldrums due to different constraint factors. Development Support Services Organisation, Dimapur hereby offer an opportunity by introducing shiitake mushroom which generate high returns to cultivators and as a viable alternative for the enhancement of poor rural economy.
What is Shiitake Mushroom?
Shiitake is a Japanese word. “Shii” refers to a kind of chestnut tree, “take” (pronounced as ta-ki) means mushroom. Botanically it is called Lentinus edodes. Shiitake mushroom is a delicious mushroom containing numerous proteins, carbohydrate, valuable minerals and vitamins. According to American Cancer Society, this mushroom has the property to fight the development and progression of cancer. It is called “vegetable meat” and “delight of diabetics” as it contains least amount of sugar. It is also a good diet for heart patients since it contains cholesterol suppressing property. FAO and the WHO recommend it to fight malnutrition as 25 gms of dry shiitake is almost equivalent to two eggs or a cup of fresh milk. Shiitake is a very fleshy fruiting body. The size of the mushroom’s cap varies from 21/2 - 8 inches in diameter.
How will it change the economic profile of the rural areas?
Most of the rural people are marginal farmers with minimum returns in terms of cash earning.
Shiitake Mushroom cultivation can generate additional income without affecting their normal activities.
A simple illustration as to how it will enhance rural economy is given below.
Earning from Conventional Crop per year:
A family with small land holding can cultivate and harvest 300 kgs (say) of potato or yam per year provided the crop do not fail due to various nature’s vagaries or pests. During peak season, selling price of potato or yam is Rs.10 per kg (say). Earning from the crop = Rs.10 x 300 = Rs.3000.00 per season which is without taking into account the input.
Earning from Shiitake Mushroom per year:
Each family can conveniently cultivate 80 to 100 bed-logs of shiitake. On an average each log will yield 3 kgs of mushroom in one fruiting season. Products from 80 logs = 80 x 3 = 240 kgs. At present the selling price of mushroom per kg in Nagaland is between Rs.80 to Rs.100. Earning from 240 kgs = Rs. 80 x 240 = Rs.19200.00 (taking minimum price and without cost of input).
Where can it be cultivated?
It can be grown in all the hill areas of Nagaland and other north east states where summer temperature is not more than 34 degree C.
How to grow?
Selection of trees: (a) All the oak tree species; (b) Pfudzii tree (padosii in Angami, Sungrangjang or siing in Ao, Tesongrongthi in Lotha, Pughoithi in Sema ) and (c) all the species of wild chestnut (Jhazhisii in Angami, Kazuyitong in Ao, Phosolothi in Lotha, Tsiizuthi in Sema) that are abundantly found in the state are best suited for Shitake mushroom cultivation.
Felling of trees and gathering of logs: The best time to fell trees or branches (if the stem is having big girth.) is January when the tree is dormant and having conserved maximum carbohydrates and other nutrients. The selected logs should have 2 ½ to 5 inches diameter which should be sectioned or cut to 3 to 4 feet length to get the desired size of logs. Care should be taken to avoid damage of the bark.
Inoculation of logs with wood seed spawns or shiitake spawn: Lichen and moss covering the logs should be removed with iron brush. The right season for inoculation is last part of January, February and early part of March when there is least contaminants in the atmosphere. It is recommended to inoculate the logs within 20 days to35 days after felling the trees.
Procurement of spawns: Shiitake spawns are available in the Capital Kohima and at Dimapur town. Normally the Firms start selling by January.
Method of inoculation: Hand Auger or Electric drill with 10mm or 1cm drill bit is required to drill hole on the log. The depth shall be as per the length of spawns which is normally less than 25mm or 1inch.After inserting the spawns, the hole should be sealed with window putty so as to prevent the spawns from drying up and contamination by other fungus. Minimum of 20 spawn pieces to a maximum of 40 pieces should be inoculated on a single log. Number of wood seeds will depend on the size of the log. Inoculation with more spawns help mycelium to colonize the log early and produce more mushrooms. “Once the log is inoculated, it will keep on fruiting as long as the log does not rot.” Further inoculation on the logs is not required.
Pattern of holes on the log: Both the cut ends are the exposed and weak parts of the log. Therefore, it is desirable to inoculate more wood seeds at both ends. Drilling should start 2 ½ inches from one end and then at interval of 10 inches till it reaches to a point where it is 2 ½ inches from the remaining end.(In other words it is 2 ½ inches + 10 inches + 10inches + 10inches +2 ½ inches = 35 inches, say 3 feet). If 20 pieces of wood seeds are to be inoculated on a log, each circle will contain 4 pieces of wood seed. The position of holes may be triangular or circular. Figure below shows one pattern.
Watering: As we know edible wild mushroom start fruiting in the jungle only after the first or second rainfall of the year, Shiitake too require watering for spread of mycelium and subsequent fruiting. If trees were felt in January and the logs are inoculated in February, watering (that is spraying of water with a mug or sprayer) on the log should commence by the last week of April or first week of May. Watering should be done once a day up to August and thereafter both morning and evening until the formation of mushroom pinheads. Once the pinheads appear, watering should be more frequent for a booming harvest. Where there is shortage of clean water in the village, cultivation can be done in nearby jungle having water spring.
Fruiting: Fruiting will take place after one summer season. In the subsequent years it will fruit from September and continues up to next May depending on the location and temperature of the place. The months of June and July should be considered as resting periods and no water has to be sprayed.
Forced fruiting: Forced fruiting is only for obtaining maximum and quicker harvest. This can result in 5 to 7 times harvest per season. When pin heads on a log starts appearing, forced fruiting for the remaining logs without pin head can be done through this process. Log with pin head should never be resorted to forced fruiting. The process of Forced Fruiting is done by deep soaking or fully submerging the log in a drum or container of water for 6 to 24 hours depending on the temperature. After soaking the log if bubbles no longer appear on the surface of the log (s) it is confirmed that they are totally saturated and are removed. Place them in position for fruiting. Within 6 to 11 days they will start fruiting again.
Resting: When low production or reduced size of the mushroom is noticed, the log should be rested for 30 to 45 days. No water should be sprayed during this period. Resting is required to let the mycelium regain its strength.
Low cost shed: The logs can be housed or kept under shady trees but it is desirable to keep under transparent plastic sheet roofing. Light is absolutely necessary for good Shiitake formation. Insufficient light will result in distorted colour of the mushroom. Direct sun light is not desirable as it dries up the moisture content of the log quickly. The sides of the housing can be kept open where strong current of wind do not hit the logs. Strong winds reduce humidity and split the Cap of the mushroom.
Placing of logs: The most suitable method of placing logs is shown below. This method of placing the logs will not hinder the growth of mushrooms.
Collection of mushroom: Mushroom should be harvested on fine days and when the Cap is not fully opened and when the mushroom caps still have curled edges. Harvesting this way give longer life. Harvesting on rainy days is apt to decay early.
Marketing: So far India has not yet produced Shiitake Mushroom on commercial scale though there is great demand for it in hotels, restaurants and by other household consumers. At present, locally produced mushroom hardly meet the requirement even at the local market. This is an eye-opener for the people of the state. One should not lost the opportunity given to us by the market forced and make utilized their available resources and must be capture the Indian market as a whole by developing an organized marketing system.
Development Support Services Organisation (DSSO), Dimapur
