Arifur Rahman Shamim,25, son of late Abdul Jabbar of Shoyadhanghora village who started mushroom cultivation in a thatched room at his residence just one year ago, is now self-reliant.

He started cultivation after a seven-day training with an initial investment of Tk. 15000. But, now he earns around Tk 15,000 a month.

Shamim passed SSC examination and was looking for a job. But, he did not get any job because of his little education. At one stage, he started mushroom cultivation when he came in contact with a mushroom trader at Savar in Dhaka.

With his inspiration, he took training at Savar Mushroom Unnayon Centre for seven days and returned to his hometown to start mushroom cultivation. His project is known as Sirajganj Mushroom Centre.

Shamim is now cultivating oyster hybrid mushroom which is one of six eatable varieties among about 2000. This variety has good demand in the country as people are now showing interest in the food items produced with it.

According to experts, mushroom is highly nutritious and has medicinal qualities. It is helpful against high blood pressure, diabetes, gastric problems, jaundice and heart diseases.

Shamim produces every day at least 3 kilogram (kg) fried mushroom and sells those at Tk. 1200 per kg and makes two kg powder mushroom and sells those at Tk 1200 per kg.

While talking to this correspondent during a recent visit, Shamim said he faced problem at the beginning of its cultivation as most of the people were ignorant about the eatable mushroom. But now, mushroom cultivation is gaining popularity, he said.

Youths in the town are now showing interest in mushroom cultivation and coming to him for training. Shamim said.

Meanwhile, some youths have taken short course and started cultivation at their homes, Shamim says. He supplies mushroom seeds (spawn) to them from his mushroom centre at a cheaper rate.