ICAR Sikkim Centre organizes Hands on Training Programme on Spawn Production in Oyster Mushroom
ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Sikkim Centre, Tadong, Gangtok is organizing six days ‘Hands on Training Programme on Oyster Mushroom Spawn Production’ for the tribal farmers of Sikkim under the aegis of Tribal Sub Plan during April 17-22, 2015. This programme is being organized with the aim to acquaint the farmers about the spawn production, mushroom cultivation, post-harvest management techniques of oyster mushroom to ensure the livelihood sustenance of the resource poor tribal farmers. More than 25 farmers from Sikkim will get trained on various aspects of mushroom cultivation in this training programme.
Inaugurating the program, Dr. R.K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR, Sikkim Centre emphasized upon the significance of mushroom production under changing mountainous ecosystems. He highlighted the importance of mushrooms as a good source of self-employment generation and as one of the important healthy foods that contain less fat and more protein. He appealed to the farmers to undertake mushroom farming on commercial scale to harness the full benefit of training program. He also stated that mushroom has tremendous potential in Sikkim because of its high demand and nutritional value and also emphasized upon the importance of maintenance of proper hygiene and use of scientific techniques to get highest return from spawn production and mushroom cultivation.
Earlier, Dr. R. Gopi, Scientist (Plant Pathology), welcomed all the participants and briefed about the importance of oyster mushroom cultivation, spawn production and also about the training program schedule. Dr. H. Kalita, Principal Scientist (Entomology) in his address emphasized on the need of spawn production in remote areas for commercial mushroom production and development of entrepreneurship among the farmers. Dr. Ashish Yadav, Senior Scientist (Horticulture) proposed the vote of thanks and wished for the successful completion of the programme. Shri S.M. Kandwal, Technical Officer moderated the inaugural session.
