PhilRice Bicol to start “kurakding” production at Batang, Ligao City

Rice straws (right) serve as substrate for growing

kurakding (left)

The Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) Bicol station will begin its mushroom production this September as part of the implementation of the Intensified Rice-based Agri-Bio Systems (IRBAS) project. The IRBAS project is an improvement of the previously implemented project, the Palayamanan, and now being referred as the Palayamanan Plus. IRBAS was developed to increase the production of rice and other crops with high market value. The project also targets the P1M profit per hectare per year.

Mushroom production is one of the three components of the IRBAS project. PhilRice Bicol will pilot the first Kurakding culture at the station in Batang, Ligao City. To lower the cost of production and avoid wastage and burning of rice straws, the rice straws will be used as soil or the substrate where the mushrooms will grow.

Kurakding is most suitable to produce due to the environmental condition of Ligao that is favorable to its growth. Aside from this, Kurakding has high market value in the local area, according to Agricultural Engineer Melanie Ailen de Peralta, focal person of the IRBAS project at PhilRice Bicol.

Kurakding is usually cooked with coconut milk and vegetables and served with rice.

Kurakding is usually cooked with coconut milk and vegetables and is considered as one of the favorite local dishes in Ligao and in nearby towns. De Peralta sees the potential of mushroom production in Ligao as there is high demand of edible mushrooms in Metro Manila but very little supply. The success of the mushroom production will contribute to the ultimate goal of reaching the P1M target profit per hectare per year.

Written by Lala Peñafiel

References:
Intensified Rice-based Agri-Bio System Project Protocol. Philippine Rice Research Institute