Economic Importance of Wild Mushrooms in Mayurbhanj District, Odisha, India

Abstract

In forest-dominated areas, the local communities depend on forests for their food, medicine, and livelihood. Seasonal livelihoods are observed mostly in these areas. Wild edible mushrooms are a seasonal source of livelihood and food for tribal communities. Keeping the importance of wild mushrooms in providing livelihood opportunities, an attempt has been made to document the economically important wild edible mushrooms of Mayurbhanj, Odisha, India. Results revealed that about 10 species are collected from the forest which are used to sell in weekly markets and roadsides of the study areas. Among the enumerated wild mushrooms, the highest price was observed with “Rugda/Phutka” mushrooms (Astraeus hygrometricus). It was noticed that Termitomyces microcarpus is the first choice of the sellers and buyers too. The Amanita egregia is also very much popular among the buyers due to good yield and palatability. The paper highlights the importance of wild mushrooms as Non-Timber Forest Produces and recommends that there is need of value addition of economically important wild mushrooms for sustainable livelihood opportunities.