Lhüvevolü A Rhakho from Nagaland’s Phek district was experimenting with different recipes in 2019 so she could get her family to eat healthier.

This was when she came across recipes of dishes comprising mushrooms and decided to start growing her own.

She credits her idea to an interaction with Dr Sosang Longkumer of Konger Agritech — who introduced shiitake mushrooms, which usually grow in East Asia, into Nagaland in 2018.

Though traditionally grown on sawdust logs in other parts of the world, in Nagaland, the methods are slightly different.

Here, oak logs are deployed which result in mushrooms having a better taste and higher medicinal value, informs Lhüvevolü.

What started as a side hobby is now a venture called Native Organics which also encourages farmers to grow shiitake mushrooms by supplying them with oak saplings.

Lhüvevolü uses a chemical-free process to grow the shiitake mushrooms. She uses a technique called pollarding, which is eco-friendly.

In this technique, the pruning of the branches is done in a way that does not harm the tree and ensures that the tree is saved for the future.

Once the mushrooms are harvested, they are sun-dried turned into powders and sold across India.

The products range from smoked shiitake mushroom powders and shiitake chutneys to shiitake chilly flakes and other such products retailing for Rs 500 for a 75 g jar.

“To be honest, I didn’t know a thing! I ventured into this business with a passion for building something from scratch and the humility needed to learn as much as possible,” says Lhüvevolü.