Shiitake mushroom gaining popularity in Nagaland

May 22, 2023 46 Views No Comment

Second most produced mushroom in State

Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 22

A newly introduced mushroom- Shiitake is gaining popularity in Nagaland among the farmers for its distinctive taste, high profit, low labour and handy ability to grow on logs with less land requirement.

This was stated in the Annual Administrative Report 2022-2023 of the Department of Horticulture, Government of Nagaland.

“Today, it is the second most produced mushroom in the state following the common Oyster Mushroom,” the Report stated.

With a view to meet the demands for this increasingly popular mushroom it has been proposed to establish 108 units of low cost Shiitake mushroom units with an amount of Rs 54.00 Lakh for implementation under RKVY-RAFTAAR 2022-2023, the report stated.

Origin of Shiitake mushroom cultivation
The Report stated that the origin of Shiitake Mushroom cultivation has been traced back to thousands of years in Japan.

People found these mushrooms growing on downed ‘Shii’ trees.

Shiitake mushrooms have a rich earthy flavour and a unique taste best described as meaty.

These mushrooms have large caps measuring 2 to 5 inches wide and they vary in colour from light to chocolate brown, providing an attractive contrast with their pale cream underside.

Scientifically known as Lentinula edodes, Shiitake mushroom is native to the mountain regions of Japan, Korea, and China, where it grows on fallen logs. This species has a long history of use all throughout East Asia, with people collecting wild shiitake for both food and traditional medicine.