ICAR-NOFRI conducts Hands-on training on Organic Oyster Mushroom Cultivation to strengthen the livelihood of tribal farmers of Sikkim
Mushrooms have been consumed by man with delicacy probably, for their texture and pleasing flavor. They have rich nutritional value with high content of proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibres, trace elements and low/no calories and cholesterol. Many of them have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. Mushrooms are rich in quality proteins, Vitamin B complex (thiamine, riboflavin and niacin) including folic acid, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin C and fibre. As a low calorie high protein item with negligible starch and sugar, they are a treat to the diabetic. In recent times, mushroom growing is becoming popular not only due to the nutritional benefits but also because it strengthens the livelihood of the growers having no or insufficient land. One day hands-on training on organic oyster mushroom cultivation was jointly organized by ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, Tadong, Gangtok and ICAR Directorate of Mushroom Reseach, Solan, Himachal Pradesh on 10th January, 2018 at Sajong village, Rumtek under the aegis of Tribal Sub Plan. A total of 28 nos. of farmers from the village participated in the training. The programme was headed by Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-NOFRI and Dr. V. P. Sharma, Director, ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan. The foreword for the event was raised with the welcome speech by Dr. Janak K Singh, SMS, KVK, East Sikkim who took the opportunity to welcome all the participants and dignitaries. Dr. R.K. Avasthe in his address encouraged and appreciated the interest of the participants for their willingness to embrace mushroom cultivation on a commercial scale. He emphasized the nutritional, societal and economic role which the mushroom production is expected to play in the near future in the organic state of Sikkim. Dr. Avasthe also threw light upon the other farmer friendly technologies developed by ICAR-NOFRI and urged them to adapt the technologies for doubling their income. The training was graced by Dr. V.P. Sharma who expressed his happiness over the zeal of the villagers for mushroom cultivation. He enlightened them on different edible mushrooms which can be grown on commercial scale in Sikkim and their cultivation technology. He also visited the farmers mushroom huts and interacted with them on various issues which could promote their mushroom production. Dr. Sharma expressed his congratulations to the Joint Director and the scientists of ICAR-NOFRI for the tremendous efforts they have taken for the upliftment of the farmers of Sikkim. During the programme, Dr. Shweta Singh, Scientist, (Plant Pathology) and Prinicpal Investigator, AICRP on Mushrooms and Sh. Sudheer Annepu, Scientist, Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan detailed the hands-on training of the oyster mushroom production technology where the participants showed their immediate enthusiasm to learn the technology. The participants were given pressure cookers, aluminium utensils, mushroom spawn packets, polythene bags, tarpaulin sheets and sprayers for facilitating their mushroom cultivation endeavour. The function was co-ordinated by Dr. J. K. Singh, Dr. Shweta Singh and assisted by Sh Ezekiel Khawas and Smt. Babita Bhutia. Read the full article