Mushroom production to augment farmer's income in Antique
PANDAN, Antique - In this time of crisis, mushroom production is considered as one alternative technology that could help enhance the income of farmers.
During the training on mushroom production conducted in the municipality of Pandan in Antique on November 3, 2005, about 40 farmers and local officials were eager to learn the technology in producing mushroom because they saw its potential in helping raise their income.
'Producing mushroom could be the source of living for the people of Pandan. It could be the answer to the meager income in rice farming,' said Pandan vice mayor Antero Rectra.
Rectra said that it is very timely that mushroom training was conducted in Pandan, since people are looking for other sources that could help in their financial burdens.
He thanked the sponsor, Jonathan Tan, for initiating such activity which benefited the farmers in the municipality. Tan is a businessman and philanthropist based in Metro Manila who constantly goes back to Pandan to bring livelihood opportunities for the people.
Tan said that he was supportive of mushroom training because it is a feasible technology.
'When I knew of the plan to conduct mushroom training, I supported it immediately because I knew there is money in mushroom. We only need small capital and can gain big profit,' said Tan.
Tan also assured the farmers that he will be taking charge of marketing their mushroom products.
Dr. Crisanto Lopez, Jr., research director of West Visayas State University (WVSU) and representative to Wesvarrdec (Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium) served as resource person of the training.
In his lecture, Dr. Lopez stressed the good reasons in engaging with mushroom production.
'Why mushroom? Aside from getting additional income, mushroom has high nutritional value. It is a good source of carbohydrates, vitamin B complex and folic acid. It has less fat and cholesterol, hence good for the heart,' said Lopez.
He added that, mushroom production is a very simple technology and not labor intensive. It is even recommended for women because it could be grown in the yard.
Right after the lecture, a hands-on activity was conducted for the farmers to apply what they learned from the lecture. They were grouped into six and planted the spawn into the prepared substrates from soaked dried banana leaves.
'The actual demonstration of the technology is very helpful for us farmers because it made the mushroom production easier. I become more interested in the technology,' said Sanguniang Bayan member Wilton Venus.
Michael Condez, barangay captain of Baybay, Pandan and facilitator of the training, lauded the support of all farmers, local officials, Pandan cooperative and Wesvarrdec for the success of the training. He said mushroom training would be the first of the series of livelihood trainings in Pandan which he will be facilitating.
'All technologies which could help the people of Pandan will be brought to them. With our partnership with Wesvarrdec, we could realize our goal to help farmers alleviate their conditions,' said Condez.