VOICED : Besieged Syria town swaps meat for mushrooms

In Eastern Ghouta, Syria, besieged residents have turned to mushroom cultivation as a sustainable alternative to meat, addressing both nutritional needs and economic challenges. The process involves boiling and pasteurizing straw, then planting it with barley seeds colonized by mushroom mycelium. This method yields a significant amount of mushrooms, which are distributed to residents who learn to incorporate them into their diets. The initiative not only provides a protein-rich food source but also creates jobs and helps alleviate the high cost of meat in the region.

What prompted the people of Eastern Ghouta to consider mushrooms as a food source?

• The influence of neighboring regions

• The nutritional deficiency in their diet

• The high cost and scarcity of meat

• The abundance of mushrooms in the area

How are mushrooms cultivated according to the video?

• By boiling and pasteurizing straw with barley seeds

• By using a hydroponic system

• By growing them in a controlled greenhouse environment

• By planting mushroom seeds directly in the soil

What is the approximate yield of mushrooms from 1 kilogram of barley-planted straw?

• 600 to 800 grams

• 200 to 400 grams

• 400 to 600 grams

• 1000 to 1200 grams

Why are mushrooms distributed to the sick and poor in Eastern Ghouta?

• To introduce a new culinary trend

• Because they are a luxury food item

• Due to their high protein content and affordability

• To replace vegetables in their diet

How have families in Eastern Ghouta adapted to the inclusion of mushrooms in their diet?

• They have rejected mushrooms due to unfamiliarity

• They prefer to trade them for other goods

• They have incorporated them as a staple food

• They use them only for special occasions