By Anurag Saxena and Magda Verfaillie
India Mushroom Days INDIA
India Mushroom Days 2024 was a three day event organized by GrowDiesel Climate Care Council in association with Milkyway Spawn and University of Delhi, New Delhi, from 4 - 6 October, 2024.
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Magda Verfaillie with the Weikfield team at the entrance of the India Mushroom Days.
he event had a total of 2000+ visitors (many of whom where students), 40+ exhibitors from around the world and major growers
from India. The list of international exhibitors included Christiaens Group, DMP, Satrise, Agro Projects, Vierrebi, Unicorn, Kondori, and RibbStyle. Key speakers included Magda Verfaillie, Bart Aerts, Dr. Manjit Singh, Dr. Sangam Kurade, Manmohan Malik and Dr. Soyulu.
Guest of honor Shri. Manoj Tiwari, member of the Indian parliament, visits the trade fair of the conference.
32 MUSHROOM BUSINESS
Inauguration Day 1 began with the inauguration of the exhibition, showcasing exhibition booths by companies from around the world. The event was inaugurated after a long delay (caused) by Shri. Manoj Tiwari, member of parliament and ex-Bollywood star. Joining him on stage were Prof. Dr. Payal Mago (University of Delhi), Atul Saxena (Growdiesel), Anurag Saxena (Milkyway Spawn) and some other dignitaries followed by a Lamp Lighting Ceremony & Saraswati Vandana. In the welcome address, Atul Saxena mentioned how India is a largely agro-based green economy. Farm waste that is generated every year has a potential to be useful rather than just being dumped or burned and cause pollution. He emphasized the concept of ‘From Farm To Food’ in the mushroom industry, utilizing these bio-wastes. He mentioned how substrates produced from mushroom farming have the capability to produce biofuels, biofertilizers etc., which contribute to a green economy. Prof. Mago welcomed the guests on stage. In her address she told about the importance of the mushroom industry in India and how it benefits the students. Next, a new book was introduced, ‘Mushtales’ - written and compiled by teachers of the University. After a welcome address by Greg Seymour (ISMS), Dr. Manjit Singh, former director of DMR, talked about the positive environmental impact and nutritional value of mushrooms, and Dr. M.P. Thakur (IGKVK Raipur), delivered a presentation about the exploration of the
untapped potential of many (medicinal) mushroom species, their immunotherapeutic properties, and their contribution to longevity and quality of life.
Challenges panel A panel discussion was then hosted on the ‘Scope and Challenges of Growing Mushrooms in India’. The panel was chaired by Vijay Kaw and the panelists included Daniel Dajewski (Agro Projects), Manjit Singh, Monmohan Malik, Roland van Doremaele (Christiaens), Sangam Kurade and Atul Saxena. The main challenges that were highlighted included a lack of resources and proper planning that often hindered the process of cultivation. In present times however, there have been more technological advancements and thus better facilities. When asked about some present sco- pes and challenges, the main ones mentioned were policies regarding the rates, income tax etc. and also climate conditions which were often unreliable and also a kink in the supply of materials. According to Magda Verfaillie, a major challenge for the modernization of mushroom cultivation in India is the high import tax (40%) on machi- nery, which makes them unaffordable for the average grower. Another challenge she notices is the lack of good education, especially regar- ding spawn making practices. But the fact that major international suppliers like Fancom and Christiaens Group show up on the conference is a sign, that many see the potential of the giant Indian market for mushroom production, with 1,4 billion consumers, of which 30 to 40 percent are vegetarians. Verfaillie also sees the introduction of more specialty mushrooms in the Indian cuisine, to positive response, as a sign that things could very well change for the better.
Spawn production The second day opened with a lecture on spawn technology, chaired by Dr. Rekha Mehrotra. The
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