Srinagar: A weeklong existing management development program (E-MDP) on ‘Low-Cost Mushroom Cultivation: A Livelihood Prospect for Rural Youth’ conducted by Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir commenced on Thursday.
The program is organised by SKUAST-K’s Krishi Vikas Kendra, Ganderbal under the sponsorship of the Union Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Government of India.
MSME Ministry envisions a progressive MSME sector by promoting growth and development and runs various schemes aimed at financial assistance, technology assistance and upgradation, infrastructure development, skill development and training, enhancing competitiveness and market assistance to MSMEs. Presently SKUAST-K is conducting 550 skill development programs in various parts of J&K and Ladakh for skill and upskilling of the youth towards entrepreneurship.
The E-MDP aims to popularise mushroom cultivation as a source of income for the marginal farmers and rural youth. Head, KVK, Ganderbal, Dr Ishfaq Abidi, emphasised on the nutritional value of mushrooms and described mushroom cultivation as a viable and attractive activity for the rural youth. He encouraged the farmers to take up mushroom cultivation, as is it highly remunerative and can be a source of additional employment for them.
Scientist KVK Ganderbal, Dr Farooq Ahmad Ahanger, gave a comprehensive overview of the programme and described the course outline of the programme. Dr Rouf Ahmad Khan (JKEDI) gave a detailed account of Mushroom Cultivation as an Agribusiness venture in J&K.
The participants will get trained about mushroom cultivation, harvesting, processing, value addition & marketing, spawn production, and disease and pest management in mushrooms.

KR Desk