Cultivation of Shiitake mushroom - a potential agro-industry for hilly areas of North Eastern India

The survival and economic prosperity of various ethnic people of North eastern India largely depends upon rationale utilization and sustainable development of its local resources. Recently, Japanese wood mushroom commonly called as shiitake or golden oak mushroom [Lentinula edodes (Berk) Sing] has been explored for its large scale cultivation and production leading to conservation of biodiversity and economic upliftment of the local people. Shiitake mushroom is in high demand in the local markets due to its unique characteristic taste and usefulness in health care such as diabetes, hypertension, tumours, antiviral and as immunostimulant. On taking up its commercial cultivation one can earn a net profit of Rs. 4000 to 11,000 per annum from a mushroom cultivable shed of the size 4×4 m 2 .