HINATUAN, Surigao del Sur – Hope is scarce for the rural women and youth who are sadly at the fringe of our society. But for the lucky few here in Hinatuan, something ignited the fire of hope in them and illuminated the path to success that was once obscured with hopelessness. Thanks to the Training on Mushroom Production for Women and Youth Development they attended last week for it awakened their interest and gave them that optimism and drive to work their way out of poverty.

The said training was conducted by the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center XIII (ATI-Caraga) through the Gender and Development fund. Edilberto “Edil” Bayot, a successful mushroom grower in Butuan City, was invited by ATI to share his expertise as a resource speaker. His life-changing story from a struggling graphic designer to being a sought-after consultant and well-established mushroom entrepreneur has sparked the fervor among its participants.

They gained knowledge on how to grow mushrooms and learn the techniques on how to process them into a more profitable business. Through Mang Edil’s testimony, they were amazed how a fungus, which they used to ignore in the past, can actually open livelihood opportunities for them and improve their lives.

Among the topics Mang Edil discussed about were: Edible Mushroom, Benefits, and Factors Affecting Production; Tissue Culture Propagation of Tropical Mushroom Species; Common Mushroom Fruiting Substrates and Preparation; Inoculation, Incubation and Fruiting Management of Mushroom; Mushroom Postharvest Practices, Processing and Marketing; Utilization of Spent Culture and Media. There was also an actual demonstration on how to prepare the fruiting bag with sawdust as substrate. And as requested by the participants, there were also demonstrations on how to prepare different mushroom recipes such as lumpia, tempura and kropek. Moreover, the participants also had a farm tour at the City Organic Agri-Fishery Complex (COAFC) in Bislig City. Lastly, each of them received fruiting bags as ATI’s after-training support to the participants.

As an offshoot to the said training, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Hinatuan will sponsor a farm tour at Mang Edil’s mushroom farm in Brgy. Taguibo on April 15, 2019. The said activity will further increase the participants’ learnings on mushroom production as well as expand their linkages with other mushroom farmers. These will be useful for them once they establish their own mushroom farm and business.

"The three-day training was worth attending. I gained more knowledge on mushroom production, processing and marketing. Thank you very much for the very passionate and informative speaker. Thank you to ATI for facilitating this free training and for this great opportunity," said Marilyn Ortega, who is a pharmacist by profession, but also owns a piece of land which she will soon convert into a mushroom farm.

The Training on Mushroom Production was held last April 3-5, 2019 at James Resto Bar in Barangay Aquino with 30 participants composed mostly of women from the Rural Improvement Club (RIC), youth from the 4H Club, Agricultural Extension Workers (AEWs) and other Rural-Based Organizations (RBOs).