Srinagar, June 26: The Agriculture Department Kashmir is working for the round-the-year cultivation of mushrooms in the valley under the Holistic Agriculture Development Program.
Earlier, the mushrooms were cultivated twice a year , in spring and autumn. However, under the HADP, the department is working for its round-the-year cultivation.
Syed Mudasir Shafi, Mushroom Development Officer, Agriculture Department said the department has started many programs to provide youth an opportunity in mushroom cultivation.
“Youth can come and take it as an entrepreneurship like compost preparation, AC room for mushroom, cultivation of mushroom in mini units,” he said. He also said that the department is providing subsidies under many schemes for mushroom promotion.
Shafi said even if unemployed youth do not have revenue issues they can start with small units for which the government can give a subsidy of 1.5 lakh out of 3 lakh as DBT.
Shafi said in every district there are demonstration-cum-training centres that are being upgraded and controlled conditions are installed there for the welfare of mushroom growers.
“Under the program those youth who want to take mushroom cultivation as entrepreneurship will be trained and exposure tours will be conducted for them,” he said.
The MDO said the department has also planned special provision for the women Self Help Groups for which they will get Rs 10,000 annually to improve mushroom cultivation and can also earn their livelihood.
“We have also kept mushroom canning facilities in districts so that they can process their produce like they can make pickles out of the produce,” he said.
Mushroom cultivation is one important tool in not only enhancing the agricultural income of the farming community but also securing it against changes in climate and soil resources.
“Mushroom production creates a significant amount of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the fields of cultivation and marketing, as well as providing opportunities for processing businesses and labor-intensive management,” he said.
The MDO said mushroom farming requires little capital, little technical expertise and it is even possible to grow indoors on a small scale and easily earn a high return on investment.
“Women can grow mushrooms in their homes with little investment,” Shafi said.
Mushroom is an important cottage industry in rural areas which leads to economic betterment of small and marginal farmers, landless laborers, and women.
“Under this emphasis will be laid on promotion of medicinal mushrooms and introduction of new strains of mushrooms with specific emphasis on standardization of locally available substrates and documentation of conditions for their optimal growth,” he said.
The MDO said the mushroom sector will witness unprecedented institutional and capital support which will boost production, productivity as well as export of mushrooms.
