Training Programme on “Mushroom Cultivation for wealth from waste: a suitable agri-enterprise for doubling income of Mizoram Farmer” from 29th to 31st January, 2018 organised by ICAR RC NEH REGION, Mizoram Centre
ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Region Hill, Mizoram Centre, Kolasib has been playing a crucial role in conducting research and popularizing oyster mushroom cultivation and ensure continuous supply of commercial spawn in Mizoram. In this context, organized three (3) days training programme on “Mushroom cultivation for wealth from waste: a suitable agri-enterprise for doubling income of Mizoram Farmer” under AICRP on Mushroom and TSP-Mushroom. The main objective of the training is to train mushroom growers and strengthening mushroom production unit by providing critical inputs to produce mushroom in large scale in Mizoram. The opening ceremony was held on 29th January, 2018 at residence of Pi (Mrs.) Lalhmingmawii of Venglai, Kawnpuii, Kolasib district, an adopted mushroom’s grower under TSP project. Mushroom production house with dimension of 22x11x11 feet (LxLxH) capacity of 400 bags (4kg/bag, wet basis) in a cropping season was constructed in her home premises. All critical inputs like Dikchii (10kg straw, dry basis), water tub (100litre), sprayer (16L), spawn (20kg), rubber band, polyethylene bags (200nos), lime (10kg), gypsum (5kg) were provided for starting the mushroom production. Dr. A. Ratankumar Singh, Scientist (Plant Pathology) PI, welcome all the trainees and delivered inaugural keynote on the topic viz., mushroom cultivation in Mizoram for wealth from waste and practically demonstrated the mushroom cultivation technology developed by ICAR-Mizoram Centre. On second day, Mr Lalnunzaula (YP-1, Mushroom production) demonstrated on preparation and boiling of substrate, spawning, mushroom health management, value addition, and maintenance of record logbook (temperature, relative humidity, cost of production, sale book etc) to farm men in our offices premises. On the last day, composting of spent mushroom substrate (SMS) and harvesting technology was demonstrated by Dr Lungmuana Scientist, Soil Science. Trainees were actively involved in all activities during the training i.e. learning by doing. Total 17 trainees comprised of 12 women and 5 farm men were actively participated. All farm men trainees were from far flung place of Mizoram, Tlabung, Lunglie District. During valedictory function, Dr S B Singh, Joint Director of ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Region Hill, Mizoram Centre appraised the trainees for their enthusiastic and emphasised to start up mushroom cultivation for doubling their income for securing socio-economic, nutrition and environment safety. We distributed basic inputs like spawn, lime, gypsum, polythene bags, rubberband, leaflets (mizo language) at valedictory function and subsequently the farm men trainees were awarded certificates. The training programme was considered grand success and concluded by offering vote of thanks by PI of AICRP on Mushroom.
Fig Glimpse of Training Programme a) Critical Inputs distribution, b) spawning by trainees c) group photo of trainees, d) Mushroom House and Pi (Mrs.) Lalhmingmawii of Venglai, Kawnpuii, Kolasib district, an adopted mushroom’s grower under TSP project e) Group photo of five (5) farm men from Tlabung, Lunglie District, and f) Dr Lungmuana, Scientist, Soil Science, demonstration on SMS (spent mushroom substrate) composting technology
