Basta may kabute, ang buhay ay bubuti!

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, December 20, 2021 – Forty (40) farmers from Occidental Mindoro acquired knowledge on mushroom production and processing from the Department of Agriculture – Special Area for Agricultural Development (DA-SAAD) Program to boost the production of mushrooms in barangay Calawag.

The training was conducted in partnership with the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of Magsaysay in Brgy. Poblacion from November 18 to 19.

The 40 participants are members of two associations, which are Calawag Mushroom Association (CMA) and Calawag Mushroom Genuine Group (CMGG).

Oyster mushrooms are sold at Php 250-300 per kilogram in the area. Its demand has been growing since it became more accessible to residents, hence the need for training to increase their production.

“Nagulat ako noong sinubukan ko na magbenta ng kabute dito sa amin dahil madaling naubos ang naprodyus na kabute at marami pa ang naghahanap (I was surprised when I tried selling mushrooms in our community because our produce got easily sold out and many people still wanted to buy),” shared CMA chairperson Alfredo Magluyan.

Mushrooms, a protein rich, low calorie source of fiber, and antioxidants are consumed as an ingredient to dishes.

Region Mushroom Program Coordinator Emerald Largado taught about different species of mushrooms and their health and antibacterial benefits. She said mushrooms can regulate blood pressure and reduce stress.

DA Agricultural Technician II Rudenick Sanchez led the demonstration on making mushroom spawn and transferring them to fruiting bags. He also showed the process of making ice cream, lumpia, patty, and atsara from mushrooms.

“Malaking tulong na binigyan kami ng [mushroom production and processing project] ng SAAD dahil pagsasaka lamang ang ikinabubuhay namin. Nagpapasalamat kami dahil nagkaroon kami ng pagsasanay at nadagdagan ang aming kaalaman. Mas mapapalakas namin ang pagprodyus ng kabute at mas lalaki ang kita namin sa samahan,” said Magluyan.

(The mushroom production and processing project) from SAAD is a great help for us since we are dependent on farming for a living. We are grateful that we were trained and our knowledge increased. We will be able to boost our mushroom production and the association’s income will increase.)

The MAO will assist the associations on the marketing side. It is also encouraging the farmers to utilize social media to introduce their products to a wider audience.

CMGG finished the construction of their fruiting house in September 2021 under SAAD Mushroom Production Project in FY 2020 while CMA completed theirs in October 2021 under the same project in FY 2019. The projects’ cumulative cost is Php 400,000.

The CMA received a mushroom production package, which includes four galvanized iron pipes, 10 meters insulator, 16 yards sackuline, four drums, and plastic bags for fruiting bags at the conclusion of the training.

Meanwhile, CMGG is yet to receive their package in the first quarter of 2022 .###

Writer: Dianne Francis A. Sy, SAAD Information Officer I

Sources: Vilmar J. Robes, SAAD Area Coordinator – Magsaysay

Alfredo Magluyan, Chairperson – Calawag Mushroom Association (CMA)