Quynh Xuan (Quynh Luu): Successful pilot of white oyster mushroom growing model

(Baonghean)With the aim of finding new plant varieties to replace traditional low-yield plants, recently, Quynh Xuan commune, Quynh Luu district has experimented with growing white oyster mushrooms. Up to now, the model has been successful and has brought high economic efficiency.

During a visit to the new rural construction model in Van Giang district, Hung Yen province, the delegation of Quynh Xuan commune realized that the method of growing white oyster mushrooms here is very simple but brings high economic efficiency and decided to bring this type of mushroom to pilot planting in the locality.

White oyster mushrooms are a nutritious food with a protein content of up to 30%, higher than the protein content in chicken eggs. This type of mushroom is easy to grow and inoculate, and the material for growing the mushrooms can be straw, dry stubble; sawdust of various types of wood or cotton waste. The cost of growing this type of mushroom is low but has high economic value. It is estimated that 1 ton of dry straw can produce 600 to 700 kg of white oyster mushrooms, with the current market price of 25,000 VND/kg, after deducting expenses, the income is nearly 20 million VND. Mr. Le Huu Ngan, Deputy Head of Dai Xuan Cooperative, Quynh Xuan Commune, said: "After 2 pilot plantings, we have mastered the planting techniques as well as the advantages and disadvantages of white oyster mushrooms. In the near future, we will instruct members on how to grow white oyster mushrooms for mass production".



White oyster mushroom growing model in Quynh Luu.

Quynh Xuan is the first locality in Quynh Luu district to successfully test the white oyster mushroom model. After planting the seeds and completing the packaging stage, Dai Xuan Cooperative assigned some households in the commune to take them home to take care of and harvest them according to the instructions so that people can get acquainted with how to produce oyster mushrooms. There are many types of oyster mushrooms that are suitable for temperatures from 13 to 28oC, so farmers can grow them all year round, if they can take advantage of the straw reserves from the two rice crops a year. Therefore, when the commune gave mushrooms to try growing, many people in Quynh Xuan chose this new food crop for production. Ms. Nguyen Thi Hoan in Hamlet 11, Quynh Xuan Commune said, "The Dai Xuan Cooperative staff gave me 10 bags of oyster mushrooms to take care of and harvest. I found the mushrooms very easy to make. In the near future, I will register to learn how to grow white oyster mushrooms, taking advantage of straw and free time to increase my family's income."

With the initial success of the oyster mushroom growing model in Quynh Xuan, many other localities of the district have contacted and sent officials and farmer members to visit and learn with the hope that in the coming time, they will replicate the white oyster mushroom growing model, creating a new profession. Farmers also hope that the District People's Committee will have appropriate measures and policies to help farmers find outlets for mushroom products when putting them into large-scale production. Mr. Le Van Tuyet, Chairman of the Farmers' Association of Cau Giat Town, Quynh Luu District said: "I myself have eaten this type of mushroom, it is very delicious and rich in nutrients. I realize that this is a new model and has positive economic efficiency. Therefore, I have asked for permission from the People's Committee of Cau Giat Town to allocate funds for vocational training for rural workers to organize a study tour of the mushroom growing model in Quynh Xuan Commune with the hope of replicating it for members to produce, creating more jobs and increasing income".

Hopefully, the initial success of the white oyster mushroom growing model will be the basis for Quynh Luu district to develop a mushroom growing model to transform the crop structure in a sustainable direction, creating jobs for thousands of idle rural workers, contributing to the goal of hunger eradication and poverty reduction.

Nhu Thuy (King Quynh Luu Television)