Dr. Sosang Longkumer’s take on mushroom farming as a career
Dr. Sosang Longkumer’s take on mushroom farming as a career
He worked as a research associate for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research from 2015 to 2018 and has extensive experience in research studies and activities.
DIMAPUR — Dr. Sosang
Longkumer, founder of Konger Agritech, is a social entrepreneur with a
graduation degree in Microbiology, a postgraduate degree in Applied Genetics
from Bangalore University, and a PhD in Genetics from the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research, Nagaland University.
He worked
as a research associate for the Indian Council of Agricultural Research from
2015 to 2018 and has extensive experience in research studies and activities.
During his early years as a research scholar, he participated in various
entrepreneurial seminars, including the eight-week technology-led
entrepreneurship programme organised by the Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research in 2011. Coming from a region rich in natural resources and
favourable climatic conditions, he realised its untapped potential during this
participation.
In early
2018, he ventured into mushroom cultivation and spawn production, applying his
research knowledge. After achieving success in his initial experiments, he
established a mushroom spawn production laboratory to promote skills,
sustainable living, and production. He later underwent intensive training in
mushroom production at DMR Solan.
As a social
entrepreneur, Dr. Sosang’s primary goal is to conduct continuous research for
mass production and develop sustainable, efficient mushroom cultivation
methods. He also encourages farmers to adopt mushroom farming as a household
venture in the Northeast.
Konger
Agritech, an agritech startup based in Dimapur, was established in 2020.
"Konger", in the Ao Naga language, translates to "mushroom”. The
startup’s vision extends beyond spawn production and cultivation, aiming to
nurture a network of entrepreneurs across Nagaland called
"mushroom-preneurs”.
In this
interview with , Dr. Sosang Longkumer shares insights into
the potential of mushroom farming in Nagaland, the opportunities it presents
for young entrepreneurs, and more.
Can you
briefly explain what mushroom farming is and why it holds promise as a career
in Nagaland and beyond?
Mushroom
farming, also known as fungiculture, is important in our region due to
favourable climatic conditions and abundant natural resources.
Some
mushrooms grown in Nagaland, such as oyster and shiitake mushrooms, can be
cultivated using agricultural waste like paddy straw, soya hull, sugarcane
bagasse, and banana leaves.
Shiitake
mushrooms require wood from trees such as oak, chestnut, and alder, which are
readily available in Nagaland.
What key
skills and knowledge should students acquire before exploring mushroom farming?
Students
should undergo short-term training on mushroom cultivation, such as a two- to
three-day programme. Extensive knowledge is not required, as the process is
easy to understand.
Aside from
basic precautions like maintaining good hygiene and cleanliness, the rest of
the steps are straightforward. Moreover, with the resources available online
today, anyone can learn how to cultivate mushrooms. Therefore, mushroom
cultivation is quite simple for youths interested in learning about it.
What
initial steps would you recommend for someone interested in starting a mushroom
farming venture?
I would
suggest to anyone wanting to start mushroom farming that they first acquire
training. As I mentioned, this can be a short-term course to learn the basic
principles of mushroom cultivation.
The second
step is proper planning. Mushrooms behave differently depending on the season
in which they are grown. Therefore, they should start on a small scale, gain
experience, and then gradually transition to large-scale production.
Which
varieties of mushrooms are mostly grown in Nagaland, and what makes them suited
to the local environment?
This is a
very important question. A commonly grown variety in Nagaland is the oyster
mushroom, which has been cultivated for more than 30 years.
A newer
variety now being cultivated in Nagaland is the shiitake mushroom, which has
gained popularity in the Northeast and even mainland India following my
intervention in producing shiitake wood dowel spawn.
During my
research, I found that Nagaland is well-suited for shiitake cultivation due to
its abundant natural resources, such as oak trees, and favourable climatic
conditions. Compared with other states in India, which lack both oak trees and
suitable climatic conditions, Nagaland has a clear advantage. Recognising this
strength, we are producing shiitake in collaboration with the Nagaland State
Rural Livelihood Mission, which involves thousands of farmers and self-help
groups. We are also working with the Department of Horticulture and the
Government of Nagaland, engaging at least two to three hundred farmers every
year. This collaboration has been ongoing for five years.
Gradually,
both shiitake and oyster mushroom farming are gaining popularity. We have now
extended our support to the Arunachal State Rural Livelihood Mission and the
Naga Hills of Manipur districts. Overall, more than five thousand farmers are
engaged in shiitake and oyster mushroom farming in Nagaland.
What
educational courses or programmes would you suggest for aspiring mushroom
farmers?
For
mushroom farming, cultivation is one aspect, while marketing and knowledge of
food processing are equally important. I have trained many farmers selected by
the department, self-help groups, and individual beneficiaries. Additionally, I
have trained well over two thousand farmers and unemployed youths who, in my
view, are doing well.
Any
educational qualification is sufficient for mushroom farming, but a greater
specialisation in business or agriculture provides an advantage when starting a
venture. At Konger Agritech, we teach everything from spawning to marketing,
guiding farmers throughout the process. The more education and exposure they
have, the better their understanding.
How
important is hands-on training and practical experience in mastering mushroom
cultivation?
Hands-on
training is very important. We train departmental officers from agriculture and
allied departments, who then become master trainers to train farmers. We also
provide training to farmers and unemployed youths in our own laboratory and
support them in starting their farms, marketing, and related activities.
Such training
and practical experience are essential. I always recommend that farmers undergo
at least one year of trial and error to learn from their own experiences, as
different farms yield different results. This helps them better understand how
to scale up in the future.
What
common challenges do beginners face in mushroom farming, and how might they
overcome these?
Some common
challenges that beginners face include the contamination of mushroom cylinders
by insects and diseases. These issues arise due to hygiene problems when proper
protocols are not followed. These small but important details are explained
clearly to help people avoid such problems.
Secondly,
if beginners do not plan properly, it becomes difficult to maintain production.
For example, paddy straw, a common substrate for oyster mushrooms, can be
harvested only once a year. It is essential to assess and collect enough paddy
straw for the entire year based on the desired monthly mushroom production.
Otherwise, the substrate may run out quickly, which is a common concern among
cultivators.
Can you
share some practical tips for ensuring the success of a mushroom farming
project?
As I said
earlier, we provide guidance from spawning to marketing, so if they stay in
touch with me, they will definitely find it easier to succeed, as we provide
technical support and guidance. It is a voluntary service that our company
offers to unemployed youths and farmers.
With students and faculty of
the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, with which
Konger Agritech signed an MoU to train students for two months as part of
their degrees.
What
kind of investment is typically required—in terms of time, money, and
resources—to start a mushroom farm?
These
investments depend on the type of mushroom being cultivated.
For
example, in the case of shiitake mushrooms, wood logs are required, which must
be cut during a specific season. The financial investment is moderate. As for
resources, since shiitake mushrooms are grown outdoors, they can be cultivated
under the shade of trees, which serve as a natural resource. Housing structures
are not needed; the fungus is simply inoculated into the logs and left in an
open space. This type of farming does not require significant time investment.
However,
for oyster mushrooms, low-cost structures made of bamboo, thatch roofing, or
green-net walls are necessary, as this is an indoor farming method.
A mushroom
farm can be started with an initial investment of INR 50,000 for a marketable
venture. For small-scale farming in domestic households, an initial investment
of a few thousand rupees is sufficient.
Could
you provide an example of a successful mushroom farming venture from Nagaland
or a similar region?
There are
many successful mushroom farmers, but one worth mentioning is a young farmer
who has been connected to me for the past five years, Hinoto Chishi. He has
been farming oyster mushrooms in Thaheku, Dimapur. Initially, he started with a
small housing unit measuring 15 x 30 feet, where 500 mushroom cylinders could
be placed. Over the years, he has scaled up tremendously. Now, his mushroom
farm is one of the largest in Nagaland, covering around 14 to 15 houses, and he
produces more than 100 kg of mushrooms daily. His income is substantial, with
lower earnings during the summer, which is considered the off-season, and
significantly higher earnings in the winter, the favoured season for mushroom
fruiting.
With his
example, the younger generation is encouraged to pursue their interest in
mushroom farming, as it is highly remunerative if done well.
Now when it
comes to shiitake mushrooms, we have many successful individual farmers as well
as SHGs. We have individual farmers from Phek district; an example would be the
brand called Native Organics, which is one of the largest shiitake mushroom
producers in this state.
They also
have production units where they process powdered and dried shiitake mushrooms,
supplying them across India. Many SHGs operate under departmental guidance,
including those supported by the Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission from
Phek, Wokha, and Zunheboto.
Under such
collaborations with the government, we have helped SHGs technically, and now
there are more than a hundred SHGs who are earning in terms of lakhs through
mushroom cultivation.
How do
you see the future of mushroom farming evolving in Nagaland and other regions?
Mushroom
farming is gaining popularity because of its health benefits and medicinal
value. As we all know, the NE region has limited land and a difficult
geographical topography to work with, so we must focus on high-value crops like
mushrooms, kiwis, persimmons, etc. Mushrooms are one of the primary candidates
for this.
Mushroom
cultivation is not labour-intensive, and people are taking more interest in it.
Demand is also very high in India, especially for shiitake, which is sought
after by many companies across the country. It has significant medicinal value,
containing a chemical called lentinan, which controls cancer cell growth, and
beta-glucan, which is beneficial for health.
The demand
right now is greater than the production. Thousands of farmers are farming, but
we are still able to fulfil only 4–5% of the demand. Hence, we need to scale
up. With the help and support of government funding to the farmers, we can
achieve those targets.
What
advice would you give to students passionate about pursuing a career in
agriculture, specifically mushroom farming?
Agriculture
has become an important component of today's world. Many people are now leaving
white-collar jobs to return to agriculture, particularly in cities.
People in
the Northeast often migrate to metropolitan areas for work, but by focusing on
local land and producing organic, chemical-free food—highly valued in mainland
India—they could create strong market opportunities. Proper branding and
labelling, along with government support for transportation and logistics,
which is already in place, could further enhance this potential.
With the
growing interest of the youth, these goals can be achieved while also utilising
the state's resources in farming.
How can
aspiring mushroom farmers access mentorship and guidance to help them succeed?
A mushroom farm implemented by
the Forest department in collaboration with Dr. Sosang Longkumer at
Tuophema village under a JICA-funded project.
Aspiring
mushroom farmers can visit my office or contact me directly for guidance, which
is especially convenient for those in Dimapur. Those seeking training at their
location can approach the Department of Horticulture or NSRLM, which has
offices in every village. I have trained all of them over the past three to
four years, so they can provide quality training and mentorship. Additionally,
anyone looking to scale up their business can contact me directly for
assistance.
What
final words of encouragement or advice would you offer young readers interested
in a career in mushroom farming?
I encourage
young people to take an interest in farming, as educated farmers are essential
to competing in the fast-growing market. They can better understand the
scientific and technical aspects of producing high-quality crops. This applies
not only to mushroom cultivation but also to other agricultural crops specific
to our state. Quality farming requires education. If farming is left only to
uneducated farmers or those who choose it as a last resort, they may struggle
to achieve the same quality that educated and motivated young farmers can.
Agriculture is a rapidly growing sector, and I encourage young people to
explore its potential.
