Oyster mushrooms: The Goan food of the future

Sutapa Kumar

While mushrooms have formed a part of our food for many years now, they are still underrated amongst the vast spectrum of ingredients available in the market. Generally, we see our local supermarkets selling packs of white button mushrooms, which is the type that one can find most commonly across the state. But these are just the tip of the iceberg amongst all the different variations of edible mushrooms that exist. 

A variety of mushrooms that can form a considerable part of the human diet are oyster mushrooms. They are a source of protein, non-starchy carbohydrates, minerals, and many more nutrients. 

Because mushrooms also hold a meaty texture, these mushrooms serve as a decent alternative to animal meat for those taking on plant-based diets. 

With significant effort, oyster mushrooms can efficiently be grown by any individual. Fortunately, there are quite a few people who cultivate oyster mushrooms across Goa. 

And amongst them, is Sruhid Vernekar, a man who believes that these mushrooms can be the "food of the future".

Vernekar and his wife started an oyster mushroom farm called “Smart Farms” in September 2020. They have always been fascinated with mushrooms, and to them, growing their own mushrooms meant building an understanding more than others. 

The mushrooms are grown using agro waste. This includes straw of paddy, wheat and ragi, stalk and leaves of maize, millets, sugarcane bagasse, and more. 

Vernekar further breaks down the cultivation process into five steps:

● Preparation or procurement of quality spawn

● Preparation of substrate as a growing medium for fungus in favourable conditions

● Spawning of prepared substrate

● Harvesting of crop

● Marketing and selling of crop

Vernekar believes that with the right conditions, anyone can cultivate these mushrooms at home. 

People often get sceptical about mushrooms with regards to safety, as some are known to be poisonous. "Oyster mushrooms belong to the family of fungus with a botanical name “Pleurotus ostreatus” and are classified as vegetable in world food," says Vernekar and assures that these mushrooms are perfectly safe to eat. 

While Goa might have a handful of people engaged in oyster mushroom cultivation, there's still a lack of much-needed awareness about them. 

Vernekar encourages more people to take up the practice only if they can dedicate themselves to it. "Only if you are serious and have a super positive attitude, you should venture into this stream as you will be faced with multiple challenges," he says. 

Oyster mushrooms can serve as a source of many essential nutrients that our body needs. It is also possible to grow them at home, making it a suitable option for those looking to grow their own food. Vernekar is also dedicated to making these available to everyone. 

So why not give oyster mushrooms a try? With all the benefits that it holds, maybe it is the Goan food of the future.