Dr. Sosang Longkumer’s take on mushroom farming as a career

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  1. Dr. Sosang Longkumer.

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.

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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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”.
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• In this interview with Eastern Mirror, Dr. Sosang Longkumer shares insights into the potential of mushroom farming in Nagaland, the opportunities it presents for young entrepreneurs, and more.
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• Can you briefly explain what mushroom farming is and why it holds promise as a career in Nagaland and beyond?
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• Mushroom farming, also known as fungiculture, is important in our region due to favourable climatic conditions and abundant natural resources.
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• 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.
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• Shiitake mushrooms require wood from trees such as oak, chestnut, and alder, which are readily available in Nagaland.
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• What key skills and knowledge should students acquire before exploring mushroom farming?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• What initial steps would you recommend for someone interested in starting a mushroom farming venture?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Which varieties of mushrooms are mostly grown in Nagaland, and what makes them suited to the local environment? 
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• What educational courses or programmes would you suggest for aspiring mushroom farmers?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• How important is hands-on training and practical experience in mastering mushroom cultivation?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• What common challenges do beginners face in mushroom farming, and how might they overcome these?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Can you share some practical tips for ensuring the success of a mushroom farming project?
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• 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.
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  1. 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.
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• What kind of investment is typically required—in terms of time, money, and resources—to start a mushroom farm?
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• These investments depend on the type of mushroom being cultivated.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• Could you provide an example of a successful mushroom farming venture from Nagaland or a similar region?
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• 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.
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• With his example, the younger generation is encouraged to pursue their interest in mushroom farming, as it is highly remunerative if done well.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• How do you see the future of mushroom farming evolving in Nagaland and other regions?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• What advice would you give to students passionate about pursuing a career in agriculture, specifically mushroom farming?
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• 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.
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• 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.
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• With the growing interest of the youth, these goals can be achieved while also utilising the state's resources in farming.
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• How can aspiring mushroom farmers access mentorship and guidance to help them succeed?
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  1. A mushroom farm implemented by the Forest department in collaboration with Dr. Sosang Longkumer at Tuophema village under a JICA-funded project.
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• 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.
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• What final words of encouragement or advice would you offer young readers interested in a career in mushroom farming?
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• 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.