TECHNICAL 9Q1 BULLETIN ~

GENDER SENSITIVE APPROACHES FOR MUSHROOM CULTIVATION

SABITA MISHRA, B. N. SADANGI & M. P. S. ARYA

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National Research Centre for Women in Agriculture (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

Bhubaneswar (ORISSA)

Technical Bulletin - 10

GENDER SENSITIVE APPROACHES FOR MUSHROOM CULTIVATION

Sabita Mishra, B. N. Sadangi & M. P. S. Arya

¥ ~ leAR

National Research Centre for Women in Agriculture (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

Bhubaneswar (ORISSA)

2008

© National Research Centre for Women in Agriculture (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) Bhubaneswar

By

Dr Sabita Mishra, Senior Scientist Dr B. N. Sadangi, Principal Scientist Dr M. P. S. Arya, Principal Scientist

Published by :

Director National Research Centre for Women in Agriculture, P.O. Baramunda, Bhubaneswar - 751 003

National Research Centre for Women in Agriculture, P.O. Baramunda, Bhubaneswar - 751 003 Phone: +91-674-2384220,2384241 Fax: + 91-674-2384242 E-mail: nrcwa@ori.nic.in. dir@nrcwa.org Web : http://www.nrcwa.org

GENDER SENSITIVE APPROACHES FOR MUSHROOM CULTIVATION

I. Introduction

Entrepreneurship development among farm women is an important approach in gender mainstreaming in agriculture which helps not only in income generation but also empower them with appropriate agricultural technology and business skills. Agro-based enterprises offer a variety of options in crop selection and contribute to the nutritional security of farm households as many of them can be easily produced in the homesteads. Mushroom is one such crop which is ideally suited for farm women.

"Meat for the poor" as mushroom is known, is rich in essential minerals, vitamins of the B-Complex group and 18 types of amino acids. Palatable and easily digestibly mushroom is an excellent food for children, pregnant women, the old and people suffering with heart diseases, diabetes, acidity, constipation, hypertension and the anaemic. Agriculture waste such as straw, chaffs and husks is the main substraction for mushroom cultivation which is plentily available locally. It is estimated that 420 million tones of grain crop-waste are available in the country. If it can be utilized for mushroom production, about 21 0 million tonnes of mushroom will be produced which will add 10 million tones of protein to combat the malnutrition. In Orissa, edible mushrooms are available either as a straw (Volvariella spp.) or oyster (Pleurotus spp.) types. It can be grown round the year. In summer and rainy seasons, straw mushroom and in winter, oyster mushroom is suitable to grow. In coastal areas, where humidity is adequate, but in interior area special care is to be taken to maintain humidity by frequent spraying of water inside the mushroom house. Mushroom cultivation is eco-friendly which helps in re-cycling the biomass and controlling pollution.

II. Advantages for women in mushroom cultivation

Many government and non-government agencies help Women Self Help Goups in rural areas to get training and credit facilities for mushroom cultivation. Mushroom can provide employment and income to rural women who are confined within the family and have leisure time for productive pursuits. The women can not only produce mushroom but can also take up of population of value pickling, canning, used dehydration, etc. It needs less land area, less investment and gives early returns. Mushroom finds a ready market in hotels and

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homes. Rural women can be involved in this vocation for self employment by using this simple technology. This particular micro-enterprise helps the women not only in supplementing theirs income but also lessening the family burden on her on account of food and nutrition. Another important aspect is that the farm women have easy access to farm by product, the paddy straw, which constitutes the major bulk ofthe raw material. Being a part-time employment avenue women can easily combine with household and farming activities. Keeping in view the above advantages for rural women in mushroom cultivation, the study was undertaken to validate the technology in their perspective.

III. Methodologyforstudy

Under various institute projects of NRCWA: the needs, seasonality of employment, access to resources etc of farm women were identified and accordingly straw and oyster mushroom were considered as appropriate interventions which were tried in two districts of Orissa namely Khurda and Cuttack covering four blocks i.e. Begunia, Bhubaneswar, Salepur and Tangi Chaudwar. The technology was imparted to the members of 12 existing women self help groups (WSHGs) in seven villages consisting of 168 farm women who were mostly from farm households. Total 24 numbers of trainings were conducted covering all aspects of technology followed by performance appraisal for three consecutive seasons for three crops with support of critical inputs. To help women achieve a fair degree of competency, regular advisory services, exposure to successful units, visit to demonstration units at the institutes level, focus group discussion and sharing of experiences of successful farmers were arranged. The recommended protocol for cultivation of mushroom was adopted in the trials.

Training on mushroom cultivation at village Tangibanta

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Table 1 WSHGs undergone training on mushroom cultivation

IV. Observations made

Data on socio-economic profile, economics of the enterprise, factors leading to success orfailure bfthe enterprise and related gender roles were recorded.

a. Sooio-eoonomic Profile : Majority of the members (93%) were from small and marginal farm families having landholding up to 3 acres and rest 7% were landless. Their primary family occupation was agriculture followed by business, private service and wage earning. Middle aged farm women within 30 to 45 years constituted BO% of growers having middle school education. Regarding caste composition, 57% of the members were from general caste whereas 23% and 20% from aBC and SC/ST respectively.

b. Economics: It was found that on an average, each member of the group could get a return of Rs.46/- against the investment of Rs.25/- per bed of 2.5ft x 2.5ft size and the total income from the bed was Rs.71/- in straw mushroom cultivation. Likewise, in case · of oyster mushroom, each member obtained Rs.50/- with investment of Rs.B/- per bed. It was observed that the farm women were more interested in oyster mushroom cultivation where re1atively less investment is required than straw mushroom. All the WSHGs sold their produce in their own villages @ Rs.40/- and Rs.50/- for oyster and straw mushroom respectively.

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v.

c. Success and failure:

Supply of critical input was stopped after completion of three crops under the project. The WSHGs were motivated to use their own resources and maintain their accounts. Out of 12 WSHGs, it was observed that only three groups adopted the straw mushroom technology whereas six groups adopted oyster mushroom. The factors which led to success were:

• Using spawn at right stage

• Proper straw treatment

• Tight packing of beds in polythene bags during mycelium growth stage.

The factors which caused failure were:

• Improper knowledge abouttreatment of straw

• Lack of knowledge for identifying quality spawn

• Non-availability of straw in time

• Improper watch and ward

Lessons learnt ~

a. Participation of women : The participation of women in mushroom training and demonstrations was above 80 percent and they took active role in discussions and questioning. Out of 12 WSHGs who participated in the training, four groups started the production units through group approach while 119 members individually. Middle aged women from marginal farm households were found more intensely involved than other groups. Cent percent participation of women was observed in the activities such as cutting, soaking and treatment of straw, spawning, spraying water, harvesting , except purchasing of spawn and

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polythene which were provided by the institute. The farm women had keen interest to check regularly the growth of buds coming out from beds.

b. Gender role: Men were seen to be very supportive, cooperative and as

a source of encouragement to the women. In fifty four percent cases, men sometimes helped in construction of poly houses/sheds and in marketing. Eighty five percent, men were found appreciating the women growers because mushroom cultivation did not disturb other household chores of women. In sixty percent, cases, men had planned to produce straw of desired quality and quantityforwomen.

c. Mobilization 01 resources : The straw used for mushroom cultivation was part of the stock meant for livestock and thatching of houses. The women who did not have their own straw could arrange it from their own villages. During trainirg period, spawn and polythene were provided as critical inputs but later on most of the WSHGs had mobilized their common fund for the

purpose and ploughed back the same amount with profit in the group fund. Sixty five percent of tribal women of Tangi Chaudwar block had invested money individually for the cultivation. For example in Saraswati WSHG, 25 beds were laid by the members for straw mushroom and each member had spent Rs. 22/- as a financial component of that enterprise. The stones/bricks, bamboos/sticks, sutulVropes, were arranged locally by the women.

d. Location : Out of 12 groups, three groups had made separate indigenous low cost poly houses attached to their houses while other three groups utilized their rejected or

half constructed houses for raising mushroom beds with a

joint venture and rest six groups did it in their own varandas/ inside rooms individually.

Mushroom grown in indigenous poly house in village Durgapur

e. Experience : Although the farm women were new to the mushroom cultivation, they were well versed with cutting and soaking of straw for cattle feed which was also an important component of mushroom cultivation. The women agriculture labourers who undertake hard work in field readily adopted oyster mushroom and did not perceive cutting straw as difficult, where as women belonging to land owning households expressed reluctance to oyster mushroom and found happy with straw mushroom.

t Decision making: Cent percent women made decisions independently regarding number of beds, locations, use of harvest and men were consulted in arranging straw, use of funds and marketing of produce. Collective decisions were made in all aspects where mushroom was grown by groups. It was observed that delay in decision making due to religious festivals and family celebrations specially in sowing had affected the yield of the crop.

g. Quality and marketing: Mushroom being perishable and as the farm women had understood it very well, they kept strict vigil on the fruiting and decided the stage of harvest. Eighty two percent of growers harvested it at bud stage to maintain quality and

stored it for a longer period. Cent percent growers were aware of the } marketing avenues, demand and preference of the buyers. All the growers adopted spraying of water before harvesting of mushroom as water content facilitates damaging. None of the growers had faced any

Oyster mushroom taken up in unused room at village Simore marketing problem.

h. Sharing of Benefits : Farm women enjoyed th e benefits of mushroom cultivation in two ways namely : fam ily nutrition and

income from the sale of mushroom. It enabled individual growers as well as groups to have savings for meeting the personal and family expenses. A case study of a group revealed that Jai Sriram WSHG consisting of twelve members in Durgapur village of Salepur block who had laid 30 beds of oyster mushroom which yielded 50 kg of produce. Out of this, the group members consumed 30 kg in

their famili'es and sold 20 kg and earned Rs. 800/-. They deposited Rs. 200/- in the group fund and shared the rest of the amount among themselves.

VI. Women's perception about mushroom based enterprise

• Enable the farm families to meet the nutritional needs from their own homestead at the time of vegetable scarcity.

• Suitable as homestead activity which can be taken up during leisure time with the help of other members ofthe household.

• As the space required is small and the farm women can raise mushroom beds in the verandahs or rooms to which they have access and control.

• They have easy access to the farm byproducts such as straw which is used to make the beds for mushroom.

• By sharing the produce with neighbours and relatives they maintain social contacts.

I ' • The farm women get a sense of pride of being self employed through the

enterprise.

II. Conclusion

Mushroom as a micro-enterprise has a great potentiality for empowerment of

farm women and enhancement of family income. Government and non government agencies engaged in addressing gender issues must develop extension strategies basing on the lesson learnt from the study. Besides standard protocol for cultivation of mushroom gender relations in mushroom cultivation

will be very helpful in promoting its cultivation among the rural women. There is also scope for young and educated girls and women to start commercial ,

production of mushroom and other related inputs and products through up scaling of technology. Backward and forward linkage in the commercialization and value addition may also generate additional avenue of employment. The high

demand for mushroom and the prevailing market rate may encourage the farm women to take up mushroom cultivation.

Acknowledgment

The authors strongly acknowledge the concept, guidance and

support given by the Director, NRCWA in course of development of

this technical bulletin for its extensive use.

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VII. Protocol used by NRCWA, Bhubaneswar for Straw Mushroom Vo I v a r i e II a) Cultivation

i. Temperature

ii. Humidity

iii. Bed size

iv. Straw requirement

v. Spawn requirement

vi. Pulse powder requirement

vii. Polythene requirement

viii. PH content of straw

ix. Moisture content of straw

x. Light requirement

25- 38 degree is ideal. Less then 25 or more than 40 degree is not good.

85% - 95% is good. To maintain high temperature, spray water on the floor and gunny bags in the windows. Likewise, in low temperature, light the electric bulbs in the room at night to create

heat.

2.5ftx2.5ft

15 kg. or 20 -25 bundles of un-threshed paddy straw / bed. The preferred varieties are CR1014, 1242,141, T- 90, etc.

One bottle or 350 gm - 400gm / bed. The spawn should be of 21 days to one month old.

200 gm - 250 gm of pulse powder made from bengal gram or horse gram or black gram / bed

After bed preparation, a polythene sheet of 6 ft x 6

ft is required to cover the bed. White colour is preferable.

Straw mushroom needs some alkalinity to grow well. So, add 1 kg. of lime in 100liters of water while soaking straw.

Should be 65%. If more or less, the white mycelium will be destroyed.

No direct sunlight is required. But bed should be in a place having good light and darkness provision. If grown under trees, some thatched roof may be done over the beds with straw or leaves or . ,

xi. Disinfection

xii. Duration

xiii. Period

xv. Yield

xvi InvestmenVexpenditure

xvii. Profit

polythene. Otherwise, it may be kept covered up to last harvesting without sprinkling water

also.

After soaking, the straw should be disinfected by

hot water or at the time of soaking, bavistin @

8gm or formalin @ 100 ml /100 liters of water should be added to it. The mushroom unit should be cleaned with formalin in each 2/3 months

interval.

One month for total harvesting

Can be cultivated from March to October in coastal areas but most appropriate time is June to October when there is no necessity of maintaining

temperature.

After 14/15 days, in first phase, 90 % to 95 % and

again after 9-10 days, in second phase, rest 5 %

t010 % of yield happens. Average yield becomes 1 kg/bed.

Rs.35/bed

Market rate being Rs. 60/- to Rs.70/-per kg, for 1 kg. of yield, income will be Rs. 60/- to Rs.70/­and profit will be Rs. 25/- to Rs.35/- per bed. If one farm woman raises 10 beds in a day, she may get profit of Rs. 250/- to Rs. 350/- per day.

Methods of cultivation of Straw Mushroom

• Select un-threshed white coloured hard paddy straw of 15 kg or 20 bundles for one bed.

• Separate leaves, soak in cemented water reservoir for 1 0 to 12 hours.

• During soaking, disinfect the bundles with 100 liters of water, containing 100m!. Formalin or 8g. Bavistin orwith boiled water heated for one hour.

• Dry the bundles under shade for two or three hours to reduce moisture content.

• Remove mushroom spawn from the bottle. Divide it into four parts. Take 200-250g. of half powered pulse such as bengal gram or horse gram or black gram and divide into four parts.

• Prepare a bamboo frame of size 2.5ft x 2.5ft on bricks in four corners. Spread four layers of straw on it overthe frame.

• On the first and second layer of straw bed, spread one part of spawn and pulse powder on the four sides leaving 10cm from the margin. On the third layer, spread the rest two parts of spawn and pulse powder all over the base. The fourth layer of straw should be very thin to facilitate the mushroom to grow. Each alternate straw layer should be in opposite direction.

• Coverthe full straw bed preferably with a white coloured polythene from all sides tightly for seven days; then remove the cover.

• After 24 hours of removing the polythene; spray water twice / thrice daily till the last day of harvesting.

• Spray water before 12 hours of plucking the mushroom.

• The first phase of mushroom fruit will emerge at 12 to 14 days after bed preparation. The second and the third phase of fruiting will come out after an interval of each seven days. About 1 kg to 2kg of mushroom will be yielded / bed.

VIII. Protocol used by NRCWA, Bhubaneswar for Oyster Mushroom (P leu rot u s spp.) Cultivation.

i.

ii.

iii.

iv.

v.

vi.

vii.

Temperature

Humidity

Straw requirement

Spawn requirement

Wheat requirement

Polythene requirement

PH content of straw

viii. Moisture content of straw

ix. Light requirement

20 - 30 degree is ideal. Less then 20 or more than 35 degree is not good.

70% - 95% is good. To maintain high temperature, spray water on the floor and gunny bags in the windows.

1.5 kg. - 2 kg br 3 bundles of un-threshed paddy straw / bed. The preferred varieties are CR1014, 1242, 141.

One bottle or 200 gm / bed. The spawn should be of 21 days to one month old.

200 gm -250 gm of boiled wheat

A polythene bag of 40cm x 80cm is required for one bed.

Oyster mushroom needs some alkalinity and acidity to grow well. So, add 1 Ogm. of lime per 1 kg of straw while soaking in water.

Should be 65%. If more or less, the white mycelium will be destroyed.

For first fifteen days, the bed should be placed in a dark room to facilitate the myaellum to grow. Then after fifteen days of bed

preparation, relatively more light is required. So, when the bed is removed from the polythene bag it should be hanged where light and oxygen movement is possible.

x. Disinfection After soaking, the straw should be disinfected by hot water or at the time of soaking, bavistin @ 8gm or formalin @ 100 ml /100 liters of water should be added to it. The mushroom unit should be cleaned with formalin in each 2/3 months interval.

xi. Duration One month and 21 days for total harvesting

xii. Period Can be cultivated from October to March in coastal areas but most appropriate time is Novemberto February specially winter season.

xiii. Yield After 21 days, the first phase of fruiting will come. Then, after each one week interval, second, third and fourth phase of fruiting will be there. Average yield becomes 2 kg/bed.

xiv. I nvestmenVexpend itu re Rs. 15/- bed

xv. Profit Market rate being Rs. 40/- per kg, for 2 kg. of yield from one bed, income will be Rs. 80/- and profit will be Rs. 65/- per bed. If one farm woman harvests 5 kg. of oyster mushroom in a day, she will get 150kg harvest per month. The income will be Rs.6000/- and profit will be Rs. 3,750/- per month.

Methods of cultivation of Oyster Mushroom

• Select un-threshed white coloured hard paddy straw of 1.5 kg. - 2 kg for one bed (40cm x 80cm).

• Separate the leaf particles, cut the straw with sickle or straw cutter into 5 cm length.

• Soak the straw in a cement reservoirfor 1 0 -12 hours.

• Boil the soaked straw for 30 minutes or at the time of soaking, add bavistin @ 8gm or formalin @ 100 , ml /100 liters of water for

disinfection. Then dry it in shade for one hour.

• Divide the mushroom spawn into three divisions.

• Bind one side of the polythene. Spread straw inside the polythene in equal layers. Spread the spawn on each layer. The top and the fourth layer of straw should be very thin than other three layers.

• Bind the top of the polythene and make 15 to 20 holes on it. Keep the polythene in a dark room for 14 days; on the day of 14th, remove the bed

out of the polythene and hang it where the oyster mushroom is developing. From the day of 15th, spray water on the bed thrice daily.

• The first phase of mushroom fruiting will take place after seven days of opening from the polythene bag. Mushroom can be harvested for four

times during a period offourweeks.

• Average 2 kg of mushroom will be harvested / bed.

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