Mushroom is important not only from nutritional and medicinal point of view but for export also. It requires little space or land and hence it is of great importance for landless and marginal land holders. Mushroom production has tremendous potential as an income generating activity. It grows independent of sunlight, feed on organic matter and does not require fertile soil. In addition to floor, air space is also utilized resulting in higher productivity. Mushroom cultivation can provide additional income to farmers who wish to take up this activity especially in their lean season.
The greatest advantage of this venture is the fact that mushrooms have capacity to convert nutritionally valueless substance like wheat or paddy straw into nutritious delicacies. It also enables recycling of agro wastes like dung and chicken manure which otherwise are posing pollution problems.
Mushroom is a fungal body having no chlorophyll and, it is a parasitic plant. It depends upon other living or dead plants to obtain food. Mushroom is an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals, folic acid and is a good source of iron for anemic patients. Mushroom contains 19 to 35 per cent protein which is higher than most of vegetables and cereals. Its protein quality is as good as animal protein. Moreover, lysine and tryptophan protein which are absent in vegetables and cereals can be obtained through mushrooms.
