OMI Initiative: Mushroom Culture Program

 

 

In the past, during rainy seasons, mushrooms which sprout and picked at the backyards of every houses were the usual scenes. People would collect them fresh and cook to serve as a meal. Now, most mushrooms which are found in the market and stores are being cultured due to the influx of families and houses in towns and cities.

 Mushroom culture has been introduced in the country many years ago and is now being practiced by many people to generate more mushroom and additional income. Its huge significance as well as its productivity for market is booming in abroad and even among the locals in the country.

Mushroom is commonly identified as vegetable but in reality it is actually a fungus. Its seedling is called spawn. It can be grown in any place even in small areas. It is an easy income for many people since the mushroom only needs at least 2 weeks to be fully grown and sold. Unlike any other vegetables in the market, mushrooms is easy to culture. It only needs some dry babana leaves, madre de cacao leaves and a little fertilizer for speedy and maximum growth.

Here in Mindanao specifically in the Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Masiag, Bagumbayan, Fr. Alvin Barreto, OMI and Reverend Jospeh Nadua, OMI have introduced the this interesting program, the mushroom culture. For almost 2 weeks, they have started the program inside their parish’ function hall. Together, Fr. Barreto and Rev. Nadua are confident that the mushroom culture can help a lot of people especially the people of Masiag during this time of pandemic.

 

Alternative Livelihood program

During this pandemic, a lot of people are affected which includes their daily food and economic resources. This mushroom culture is a good way in order to assist people, families and communities struck by this COVID-19. This program aims to create and instill personal responsibility to individuals by teaching them skills on mushroom culture. Moreover, this program also aims to strengthen food availability in the area while being open to other possibilities of engagement with other interested groups.

With this program, people will have an alternative and additional source of income. By creating their own vegetable garden in their houses, families can have easier access for their food. Looking at its market, mushroom price today varies from P130 to P150 per kilo. This will give a huge economic leverage for those who are interested for other source of income for businesses and families.

Future programs of the parish is to train individuals or groups on how to grow mushroom in their own backyards and houses. The free training will empower people for food sustainability. To have a sustainable program, the market will be available outside the area of barangay Masiag, Bagaumbayan Sultan Kudarat  and to encourage groups and individuals to adapt the program. This also makes a possibility of the potential collaboration of the local government with the Church in answering the needs of the people during the pandemic.