Mushroom cultivation thrives in Tiruchi after lockdown as young farmers zero in on its treasure trove of nutrients

Mushrooms, especially oyster, button and milky white varietieis, are valued for their nutritious content, as many young farmers in Tiruchi district are finding it more profitable and easier to cultivate the edible fungi than other crops.

Trays full of pressure-cooked sorghum grains dusted with calcium carbonate powder are waiting to be packed into polypropylene (PP) bags at this small facility tucked into a bylane of Thanjavur Main Road on the outskirts of Tiruchi.

They are being prepared to host the mother spawn of what will turn up on plates across southern India as oyster or milky white mushrooms, in a cycle where nature gets a huge helping hand from science.

“Since we are creating an artificial ecosystem to produce what is essentially a seasonal crop throughout the year, there is no room for error. Even a small mistake in watering can lead to huge losses,” says R Jayakumar, who has been running the Shiro Spawn Laboratory from the converted residential building for the past five years, with his wife S. Devi Lakshmi.

The couple, who work as research scientists in Chennai, have used their expertise to establish a successful mushroom spawn (seed) production unit in Tiruchi, and a full-fledged farm (which retails its produce under ‘Hi-Pro Mushrooms’ brand) in their native Velakanatham village in Musiri taluk.

The lab produces four tonnes of mother spawn per month for clients in Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka and bigger cities in Tamil Nadu.

“We visit the two facilities regularly from Chennai every week, and manage the business with the help of our family members,” says Devi Lakshmi. “Though mushrooms are easier to grow than most crops, marketing is tough, especially because of their short shelf life. In the case of the mother spawn, we have to ensure that it reaches customers within three days of dispatch from our lab.”

Edible fungi were once thought to be the ‘food of the Gods’ by the Egyptian and Greek civilisations. The Chinese started cultivating mushrooms in 600 AD. They were first introduced to Europe in the 17th century.