The Multi-Technology Testing Centre and Vocational Training Centre, College of Community Science, Tura under Central Agricultural University, Imphal, recently organised a five-day Skill Development Training Program on “Mushroom Cultivation for Income Generation of Farm Women”.
The training was held from December 2 to 6, 2024 at the college campus.
The training programme aimed to enhance family income through low-cost investments, promote self-employment, and address societal nutritional concerns.
Additionally, the training emphasised the recycling of agricultural residues, such as paddy straw, for mushroom cultivation, thereby contributing positively to environmental sustainability.
By adopting mushroom cultivation, farmers can utilise farm residues effectively and generate additional revenue, thereby improving their socio-economic status.
The programme was attended by 15 women and school dropouts from Sangsangre village, Gambegre Block, West Garo Hills, Meghalaya.
Dr. Jyoti V. Vastrad, Dean of the college highlighted the economic potential of mushroom value addition. She remarked that if demand for mushrooms grows and production increases, processing and value addition could be incorporated to meet the rising market needs in Meghalaya.
Meanwhile, the Textile and Apparel Designing department of the college also successfully concluded two ten-day vocational training programmes on “Empowering Livelihoods through Non-Conventional Fiber Processing and Value Addition”, focusing on pineapple and banana fibers, from November 26 to December 5, 2024.
The training programmes were conducted as part of the Capacity Building NEH programme. Sponsored by ICAR-NINFET, Kolkata, the initiative aimed to strengthen livelihood opportunities for farmers in the Garo Hills by promoting the processing and value addition of non-conventional fibers.
The participants were 40 beneficiaries, who were guided by Dr. Nilimesh Mridha, Senior Scientist, QE&I Division, ICAR-National Institute of Natural Fibre Engineering and Technology, Kolkata, through his expert technical insights.
The training sessions featured lectures and hands-on demonstrations covering topics such as fiber extraction, value addition techniques, sustainable practices, and enterprise development.
The programme successfully equipped participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to enhance income generation and foster a fiber-based economy, contributing to the sustainable development of the Garo Hills region.
