Mushroom as a means of sustainable rural development in the Chin State, Myanmar

Abstract

Restricted access to quality crops and markets limits the capacity of rural communities to generate income in the mountainous regions of South and Southeast Asia, often resulting in the exploitation of forest systems, a subsequent decline in forest health, and the need for alternative means of income generation as well as forest restoration programmes. Cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms has been shown to be a feasible alternative source of income and also contributes to the household nutrition of rural and impoverished communities. There are a number of ongoing programmes in South and Southeast Asia currently implementing trainings and demonstrative practices for the cultivation of mushrooms at the village level. In this context, we implemented different cultivation strategies in selected rural areas in the Chin State, Myanmar. The cultivation strategies were to 1) introduce mushroom cultivation using locally sourced raw materials as substrates for rural communities unfamiliar with mushroom cultivation; and 2) improve the technical knowledge of those already experienced in mushroom cultivation in order to increase yield and minimize challenges in production systems. We introduced <i>Pleurotus</i> sp. cultivation to mushroom growers in the Chin state, Myanmar. These cultivation strategies will help further improve and develop mushroom industries in rural areas and contribute to rural development. In addition, we focused on cultivation systems that incorporate the use of crop residues and woody substrates in order to ensure a sustainable, integrated approach.