Port Blair, May 05: The climate prevailing in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is considered quite congenial for round the year mushroom cultivation. The available paddy straw can efficiently be utilized for mushroom cultivation with other agro-wastes like banana leaves, areca nut sheath, coconut bunch waste, saw dust etc. Its cultivation can be started with minimum investment and it could help in additional income, strengthen nutritional security, livelihood security and provide employment generation for farm women and rural youth. In terms of benefit cost ratio, farmer can earn 400-500 rupees of spending each 100-150 rupees, subjected to facilities available. ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair and KVK, Sippighat has developed low cost oyster mushroom cultivation technologies for the farmers of Islands. Although the mushroom spawn production and availability is limited from ICAR-CIARI and other sources due to less demand owing to lockdown in A and N Islands, the following advisories are issued for mushroom farmers of A & N Island to sustain the mushroom enterprise:
• The mushroom growers may restrict themselves in collection and drying of mushroom substrate such as paddy straw, banana leaves and other suitable agro waste for cultivation of mushroom in coming season.
• Newly interested farmer can construct low cost mushroom production unit with locally available materials.
• Unsold oyster mushroom can be sundried and packed in air tight containers for long time storage.
• Preparation of oyster mushroom pickle could be taken up to preserve it for long period.
• Further crop production of Oyster mushroom may be limited during lockdown period as there may be problems in marketing in city areas.
• Complete sanitisation of mushroom unit/farm area and upkeep of the unit is essential for sustaining the unit in long run.
• Spawn production and availability must be ensured as per the farmers demand by the spawn producing units.
• Use mask during mushroom crop harvesting.
• Maintain social distancing and hygiene as preventive measures during management of mushroom units, harvesting, packing and marketing.
• The mushroom grower may contact the mushroom expert/scientists at ICAR-CIARI before restarting the mushroom cultivation after lockdown.
