Aaranyak recently organised a day-long training programme on mushroom cultivation for Karbi women of the villages under Kohora river basin in Karbi Anglong district.
The training programme was organized in association with DBT-sponsored Technology Incubation Center on Mushroom at Bodoland University.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Aaranyak has been working with communities with the objective of improving and diversifying sustainable agricultural practices through scientific techniques and methods.
The training was held at the village primary school of Hemai Lekthe village.
Dr. Sandeep Das, Professor of the Biotechnology Department at Bodoland University in Kokrajhar, conducted the training.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
Prof Das was supported by Dr. Papia Das, Amrit Debnath and Harish Upadhyay during the training.
A total of 22 women participated in the training programme.
“The participants learned about the scientific process of mushroom cultivation. They also got an overall idea of different types of edible mushrooms and its potential economic importance for a family,” said a statement.
Prof. Das emphasized that mushroom is a well-known source of proteins, vitamins and antioxidants as well as can provide food, nutritional and financial security for the women and their families.
Based on the climate and environment of the area, the cultivation of oyster mushroom was advised.
The participants were enthusiastic and excited to learn the various techniques involved in the cultivation.
Exuberant and eager participants felt confident that they too can produce and cultivate good quality mushrooms.
Durmi Beypi, one of the participants said, “From now on, I can confidently practise mushroom cultivation and our SHG will get a way of engaging for economic activities.”
She expressed confidence that with the support provided by Aaranyak, the women will be able to get some additional income and also nutritive benefits of mushroom for the families as they live hand to mouth.
The basic training covered the important aspects and steps involved in the cultivation of Oyster mushrooms like maintaining the ambient room temperature, sterilization of paddy straw and cultivating mushrooms in paddy straw cylinders.
Prof Das highlighted the economic and financial benefits farmers can achieve by cultivating mushrooms.
Dr. M. Firoz Ahmed, Dr. Jayanta Kumar Sarma of Aaranyak and Swapan Nath, teacher of Chandrasing Rongpi Memorial High School were present to guide and motivate the participants and increase their zeal in learning and practicing mushroom cultivation.
Dr. Jayanta Kumar Roy, Sarlongjon Teron and Rowel Engti from Aaranyak coordinated the training programme.
Aaranyak is committed to supporting the communities living in the villages of the Kohora River Basin for sustainable livelihoods through its community-based Natural Resource Management Programme, currently supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Services and the Disney Conservation Fund, it added.