Dimapur: With the aim to promote skills for income generation as well as food security and to improve livelihood, a special two days hands on demonstration on oyster mushroom cultivation and value addition of horti crops was held on April 25 and 26 at State Horticulture Nursery (SHN), Dimapur. Central Institute of Horticulture (CIH), DAC, GoI, Medziphema in collaboration with State Horticulture, Nursery, Department of Horticulture, Government of Nagaland organised the programme.
The training was imparted to the destitute and unemployed homeless youth mainly comprising of women from different orphanages and Homes within Dimapur district.
Dr. Lallan Ram, Director, CIH, Medziphema who graced the programme emphasized on the importance of cultivation of mushroom and preparation of pickles, sauce, candy etc and to incorporate these enterprises not only as a daily source of nutrition but also to become self reliant and as a means of self employment avenue through participation in the programme. Dr. Moa Walling, Dy Director, SHN, Department of Horticulture chaired the programme.
Imlitemsu, Supervisor and Bithungo, Lab Attendant from Mushroom Development Centre, Department of Horti demonstrated hands on demonstration on oyster mushroom cultivation. While preparation of Chilly pickle, Jack fruit pickle, Ginger candy and tomato sauce was demonstrated by Manzar Hossain, PHT, CIH and Sentiyangla, Horticulture specialist, CIH. Visit to pack house and mushroom development centre located at SHN, 4th Mile was also done, where the participants were appraised on the washing, grading, packing and storage of vegetables and on spawn production and structures for cultivation of mushroom.
During valedictory, Certificate along with reading materials & training kit consisting of mushroom spawn and gloves was distributed by Dr. Lallan Ram, Director, CIH to all the participant. He stated that the objective of the training will be fulfilled if any of the participants implement what they have learnt after the training, and also ensured that CIH will try to support such type of training programme for the improvement of livelihood. Feedback from the participants were also delivered and expressed their gratitude to the institute and state horti. Department for conducting such intensive and practical oriented training programme and also requested Director CIH to conduct similar type of training.
Altogether, about 92 participants from different homes like Sisterhood network, Ichtus resource center, Destitute women shelter home, Prodigals home and love care home attended the programme.