Prabin Kumar Roul, a native of Langaleswar GP under Baliapal block was engaged in paddy cultivation to support his family but due to frequent natural calamities, he was facing heavy loss every year. His visit to KVK and knowledge gained about mushroom farming motivated him to give it a try. After attending the training programme, Prabin Roul, aged 33 started mushroom farming in his backyard. Mushrooms are edible fungus which can be grown by using plant, animal and industrial waste. In Odisha, either paddy straw or oyster mushroom is produced by using paddy straw as substrate. Amongst all the enterprises, it is the only farming which can double the income within a fortnight thereby strengthening the livelihood along with improving the nutritional security of marginal farmers. At first, he has started paddy straw mushroom cultivation on an open area followed by oyster mushroom cultivation. His produce is regularly sold in the local market of Langaleswar, Nayabazar market of Balasore & Baripada market, with remunerative price.
Mushroom, KVK, Balasore, Livelihood, Farming
Easin, M. N., Ahmed, R., Alam, M. S., Reza, M. S., & Ahmed, K. U. (2017). Mushroom cultivation as a small scale family enterprise for the alternative income generation in rural Bangladesh. International Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, 5(1), 1.
Quimio, T. H., Chang, S. T., & Royse, D. J. (1990). Technical guide for mushroom growing in the tropics. Plant Production and Protection Paper, 106, 155.
