PAU- Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Sangrur, under the guidance of the Directorate of Extension Education and ICAR-ATARI, Zone-1, Ludhiana, conducted a five-day vocational training course on “Mushroom Cultivation and Processing” from October 7 to 11, 2024. 35 farmers and farm women from various villages in Sangrur district participated in the course.
Dr Mandeep Singh, Associate Director of KVK, Sangrur, inaugurated the training by welcoming the participants and highlighting the economic benefits of mushroom cultivation. He encouraged farmers to adopt mushroom cultivation as a subsidiary occupation to improve their socio-economic status and address rural employment challenges.
Dr. Ravinder Kaur, Assistant Professor (Horticulture) and course coordinator, introduced various types of mushrooms that can be cultivated year-round. She also provided practical demonstrations on essential steps like composting, spawning, and casing, as well as crop management practices.
Dr Vitasta, Assistant Professor (Home Science), emphasized the nutritional benefits of mushrooms, describing them as a “superfood” rich in protein, fibre, B vitamins, antioxidants, and Vitamin D. She also shared different cooking methods to incorporate mushrooms into daily meals.
Dr. Sunil Kumar, Assistant Professor (FMPE), discussed the importance of managing crop residues through mushroom cultivation as an alternative to burning crop waste. Meanwhile, Dr Rukinder Preet Singh, Assistant Professor (Agronomy), explained the hygiene practices necessary for ensuring successful mushroom cultivation and enhanced yield.
Dr. Narwant Singh, DDH, Sangrur, and Dr. Kulwinder Singh, Horticulture Development Officer, Sangrur, provided subsidy details. Shri Jagdish Kalra, Financial Literacy Counsellor, Lead Bank, Sangrur, and Shri Pardeep, Senior Manager, Canara Bank, Sangrur, discussed financial support through credit schemes.
Participants also visited a progressive mushroom grower’s farm in Village Dugal, gaining firsthand experience of AC mushroom production and kacha shed preparation. Progressive growers S. Jaspal Singh and Mr Rahul shared their practical insights with the trainees. Literature on mushroom cultivation was distributed to all participants.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=&intID=9765
