Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today inaugurated the Oyster Mushroom Cluster (Common Facility Center) under SFURTI scheme (MSME) along with gap funding from the State government at Jampara, Mendipathar in North Garo Hills district.
The oyster mushroom cluster in Jampara claims to be one of the first mushroom processing units in the North East region. The unit is fully equipped with solar power panel whereby its machineries would be operational entirely through solar energy.
The project which cost at Rs 10 crores is being implemented by Mendipathar Multi Purpose Co-operative Society Ltd. through the technical support of Madhukar Livelihood Foundation, New Delhi and Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship Guwahati as the nodal agency.
The Chief Minister said the common facility center for mushroom production would support 634 registered farmers on value addition of oyster mushroom, developing in-house spawn etc; thereby enhancing the livelihood of the farmers of the district. The facility would also address the rising demand for mushroom in the state, he added.
Sangma said the facility would create employment for the youth under skilled and semi skilled criteria and would also benefit 1000 farmers in the initial phase.
President of Madhukar Livelihood Foundation, Vineeth Madhukar in his address informed that the project was conceptualised in 2019 and with dedication and commitment of the founder, Ashok Madhukar and Sister Rose the project could see the light of day.
He informed the project was designed with the integrated support system for the farmers including access to appropriate technology, funds, human resource and market.
The facility would produce mushroom marketable products such as dehydrated mushroom, powder mushroom, pickles, soup mixes, chutney mixes etc,.
Sister Rose Kayathinkara, President and Secretary of Mendipathar Multi Purpose Co-operation Society hoped that the facility would support not only oyster mushroom farmers but also the horticulture and agriculture farmers simultaneously.
She also apprise the gathering that from the inception of the project till its completion many farmers have undergone training, productive activity and has also supported farmers with better cultivation practices.
As part of the programme, three best mushroom producers of the district were felicitated by the chief minister. Vehicles for rubber latex collection were also flagged off on the occasion.
