Shopian, Jan 03: SKUAST-K’s Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Shopian initiated a week-long training program on Dhingri mushroom cultivation to promote entrepreneurship and uplift rural livelihoods.
The KVK officials said the program “Entrepreneurship Development through Dhingri Mushroom Cultivation and Spawn Production” is part of the ongoing efforts by SKUAST-K, sponsored by the Union Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India.
They said that SKUAST-K is currently engaged in conducting 550 skill development programmes across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, focusing on empowering the youth with entrepreneurial skills.
“The E-MDP specifically aims to popularize mushroom cultivation as a viable source of income for marginal farmers and rural youth,” they said.
Senior Scientist and Head of KVK Shopian, Dr. Zaffar Afroz Badri, informed the participants about the nutritional value of mushrooms.
“Mushroom cultivation is a profitable opportunity which can be pursued by rural youth as an additional farming activity,” Dr Badri said. He encouraged farmers to embrace mushroom cultivation, emphasising its remunerative nature and potential to generate added employment opportunities.
Dr Shabeer Ahmad Ganie, a scientist at KVK Shopian and coordinator of the training program, provided a comprehensive overview of the course. He informed that the participants will undergo training in various aspects of mushroom cultivation, including harvesting, processing, value addition, marketing, spawn production, and disease and pest management.
“Practical sessions will be an integral part of the program, ensuring hands-on experience for the participants,” he said, adding that the initiative reflects a broader commitment to equipping individuals in rural areas with skills that not only contribute to their income but also promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Mushroom cultivation, with its relatively low input requirements and high returns, stands out as an attractive avenue for diversifying income sources in agricultural communities.
