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.

Describe the process of cultivating mushrooms as mentioned in the text.

What impact does the blockade have on food supplies in the Ghouta area?