Orang Asli generates income in grey oyster mushrooms in Gua Musang

GUA MUSANG - The Orang Asli community of the Mendriq tribe in Kampung Kuala Lah here is cultivating grey oyster mushrooms thus generating a good income for them.

The commercial sale of these mushrooms is helping to improve the community’s economy.

Grey oyster mushroom farmer, Cempaka Saleh, 60, said there are 10 Orang Asli individuals in the village who cultivate these mushrooms and market them around Gua Musang.

She said the Orang Asli community involved in growing grey oyster mushrooms had been active in the business since August last year, after receiving exposure to it from the Department of Agriculture, Empower ECER (East Coast Economic Region) Skills and Entrepreneurship.

"We got various types of training and skills in handling the grey oyster mushroom cultivation, and now we are able to stand on our own (opening a store selling mushrooms).

"Although we have a modest mushroom garden and not as big as outside companies, we are happy because our mushroom sales are doing well," she told Bernama recently.

Cempaka said she and the community were able to produce 300 kilogrammes (kg) of the mushrooms in a month, which is harvesting about 10 kg per day.

According to her, the mushrooms are bought by the Gua Musang villagers who come to Kampung Kuala Lah.

Meanwhile, entrepreneur Johari Keladi, 40, said he carries out the mushroom cultivation as early as 8am in his field and moves by 10 am to harvest mushrooms in another area.

"The grey oyster mushrooms are in big demand from the local community and outside the village, and are also sent to Gua Musang town, Bertam and Dabong.

"The mushrooms are sold at prices ranging from RM12 to RM16 per kilogramme, factoring the distance to the location and cost of transportation," he said.

Meanwhile, Gua Musang district head Nik Raisnan Daud said the initiative to bring the grey oyster mushroom enterprise to the Orang Asli of Kampung Kuala Lah allows them to generate the local economy.

"Our joint venture, involving ECER, Department of Agriculture and the Gua Musang Land and District Office, constantly monitors and also provides guidance to the Orang Asli community in Kampung Kuala Lah.

"We will increase our efforts and overcome problems to enable a good quality harvest to be obtained," he added. - BERNAMA