A community development programme on mushroom cultivation cum outreach and awareness programme was held today at Rangmaw village, South West Khasi Hills district.
The programme as organised by the Extension Programme Cell (EPC) & Science Department under the DBT-Star College Scheme Synod College, Shillong at the Presbyterian Church Hall and the Presbyterian Secondary School.
Synod College Principal, Dr. R. M. Lyngdoh said that the vocational training course is part of the college curriculum, and the EPC regularly hold such programs in Shillong and other districts to educate students and farmers about making agriculture their primary source of livelihood.
He emphasised that people cannot rely solely on government jobs and should instead focus on agriculture as a main source of income.
Lyngdoh highlighted that the area’s climate is highly suitable for mushroom cultivation and encouraged local farmers to start growing the fungus as a means of livelihood.
Assistant Director of the Horticulture and Mushroom Development Centre, Kitdorlang Kharpran stated that there has been an increase in the number of mushroom cultivators in the state.
He explained that mushroom farming can be pursued as a part-time business by farmers and is much easier to cultivate due to the state’s suitable climate.
Kharpran also gave a detail presentation on mushroom cultivation, covering various topics including types of mushrooms, their nutritional value, cultivation methods, and success stories of mushroom cultivators from within the state.
Mawkyrwat MLA, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar who was invited as the chief guest encouraged farmers to start growing mushrooms to meet the demand and supply. He hoped that the training would motivate farmers to take up mushroom cultivation, enabling them to produce enough mushrooms in the future to meet local demand and enhance their livelihood.
The program was followed by a demonstration and hands-on training for farmers on mushroom cultivation and science experiment projects were exhibited and demonstrated by the B.Sc students and faculty of Synod College.
