The Surigao State College of Technology- Mainit Campus (SSCT-Mainit) has commenced with the Oyster Mushroom Cultivation and Spawn Making Experimental Research Project entitled, “Exploitation of Different Agricultural Waste Materials as Substrates for Oyster Mushroom Cultivation, its Post-Harvest Handling and Processing” coined with the ten (10) OJT students of Bachelor of Agricultural Technology (BAT) program last February 15-18, 2022. They were oriented and was supervised by the Research Administrator Ms. Mary Amor Figueroa and her assistant Ms. Livy Sarucam in demonstrating the various cultivation techniques.
They were exposed during the period of their training and apprenticeship to various stages of Mushroom Cultivation. The demonstration was personally conducted by Miss Figueroa showing them the basic processes and necessary procedures and processes; and with her expertise, they were guided. She mentioned that “…I observed also that they are eager to learn and are fast learners, so in general, their performance met my expectations at the end of their duration at the lab.” They were recognized of their hardworks and resilience. They were introduced to media preparation, sterilization, dispensing of media to petri dishes, cultivation of oyster mother culture, Shema Soliva, one of the OJT student share her experience during their exposure, “We’ve experienced all process of cultivating mushrooms from planting tissues in mother culture, next was to make the spawn with the successful incubated mother culture (uncontaminated) or inoculating the mother culture to the spawn, then to mix all ingredients for the fruiting bag where we can plant the successful incubated spawn (uncontaminated) and lastly to inoculate the spawn to the fruiting bag” they also undergone spawn making using sorghum seeds to develop and enhance their skills putting in mind the usefulness of the data and information learned during the process as it can be utilized in the future.
This research project administered by Miss Figueroa was a stepping stone to mold and help these learning students in the field. During the interview with Ms. Figueroa, she stated that “I observed that supplies and materials commonly used in doing this project like PP cellophanes and availability of substrate materials are very limited here in Surigao del Norte. I have to procure these through online which will take several days, thus, delaying some of our activities. But, generally, through the help and initiatives of our suppliers, I am now coping up with this problem.” I observed also that they are eager to learn and are fast learners, so in general, their performance met my expectations at the end of their duration at the lab. In the near future she plan and envision to mitigate the upheaval rise of Mushrooms in the economy and market industry. She also mentioned or her progress in their works and submitted 12 proposals saying “…it is implemented to address mushroom waste management and utilization and to help the College develop a mature technology that is viable to the community for adaption.” Hence, this experience helped both the OJT students and the research department to widen their knowledge and plans for the future.
