Farmers in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte have found a new income stream through oyster mushroom production they recently learned from a training on rice-based crop diversification or Palayamanan.
Joemarie Calulot, one of the farmer-trainees, said that they used to earn a monthly income of PhP10,000- PhP12,000 from rice farming and vegetable production. When they began producing and selling oyster mushrooms and fruiting bags, their monthly income increased to PhP18,000-PhP20,000.
Calulot, one of the 25 farmer-adopters, added that producing 500 oyster mushroom fruiting bags in one cycle can generate a maximum income of PhP25,000. Mushrooms can be produced in eight cycles per year, amounting to potential earnings of up to PhP200,000.
By utilizing waste materials such as rice straws and sawdust from their farm, the farmers have found a way to not only supplement their rice farming income, but also create new business opportunities in mushroom growing, processing, and marketing. Since launching the project four months ago, the mushroom production initiative has expanded, providing more farmers with an additional source of livelihood.
