Srinagar, Dec 08: The Agriculture Department Kashmir has distributed more than 2000 mushroom units in Kashmir valley over past two years, officials said.
The figures of the agriculture department said it provided 642 mushroom units in the year 2020-21, 857 in 2021-22 and 600 units have been distributed so far this year (in the spring season).
Tabasum Naz, Joint Director Apiculture and Mushroom, Department of Agriculture Kashmir said the department has been working in bringing the best methods and providing technical know-how to new-age agri entrepreneurs.
She said that the units are distributed under an employment generation scheme of Capex budget and it is aimed to double the income of people.
The department provides seed and compost and the unit is given on 50 percent subsidy besides imparting awareness and training to the growers.
Shabir-Ul-Rehman, Agriculture Assistant Mushroom Research Laboratory Agriculture Department Lal Mandi said day by day the distribution of mushroom units is increasing.
“Even a housewife or family members can do it easily at home. It just needs a hygienic room with full ventilation. Unemployed youth can take up mushroom cultivation as a full-time or par time job. It will not only provide employment for them but also for others,” he said.
The Agriculture Assistant said mushroom cultivation is a focus area and mushroom growers are equipped with quality seeds and trained in scientific cultivation techniques.
He also said the department encourages youth to pursue mushroom cultivation and many unemployed youth have set up mushroom cultivation units and are earning a good income.
Rehman said that mushroom is a viable source of income for youth. “Mushroom crop gets ready within a month. It is a cash crop and multiplies the income of growers,” he said.
