Kohima, October 16 (MExN): A two day State level training on production of Oyster Mushroom cultivation under low cost infrastructure culminated on October 16 at the conference hall, Directorate of Horticulture. The training was organized by Department of Horticulture and sponsored by Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmer’s Welfare, Government of India.
According to a DIPR report, Deputy Director Horticulture, Meyisashi, the resource person of the training, said that growing mushroom is an income generating crop and remarked that no other business will give the farmers a higher income within a month. He called upon the farmers to avail the opportunity and learn the various methods of mushroom cultivation. He opined that government can only give assistance in terms of materials and training but the farmers should continue growing with the profits they make from the seeds and material provided by the department.
Edible Mushroom cultivation has found a niche among small scale farmers in Nagaland. Previously they were picked from the wild, but now, many farmers are growing mushrooms for their nutritive value as well as medicinal purposes. The Oyster type of mushroom is cultivated in Nagaland because it can fruit over a wide range of temperature. It offers lucrative business, requires no arable land for production and provides diversification with benefits such as increased income, employment, food and nutrition security. This scenario calls for joint participation of players in production to explore the prospects available for enhancing commercialization and optimization of the mushroom value chain.
The two day long training was imparted to 204 farmers of mushroom growers of 11 districts and Tseyminyu sub-division. Keynote address was delivered by Assistant Horticulture Officer (RKVY), T. Eluba who also chaired the programme. Special number was presented by Angab and friends. The programme was followed by discussion and distribution of spawns and equipment for oyster mushroom cultivation.
