PAU hosts mushroom cultivation training for winter season.

A five-day training course on “Cultivation of Mushrooms for Winter” was concluded at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) recently, in which 32 mushroom growers participated.

Designed for both farmers and farm women, the program was led by Director Extension Education at PAU, Dr GS Buttar.

Dr. TS Riyar, Associate Director (Skill Development) and Additional Director of Communication emphasized that mushroom cultivation has become a profitable venture for farmers of all scales, including small, backward and large. The course provided comprehensive insight into mushroom techniques, processing, marketing strategies, and loan options available to mushroom growers.

Head of Extension Education Department, Dr. Kuldeep Singh, urged farmers to adopt environment-friendly practices and avoid burning paddy straw, which contributes to environmental problems.

Instead, they encouraged the use of modern farming machinery like the PAU Happy Seeder, Smart Seeder, Super Seeder, and Surface Seeder for straw management.

Additionally, farmers were advised to find alternative uses for straw, such as mushroom cultivation, cardboard production, and biogas production.

The training course at PAU not only promotes sustainable agricultural practices but also empowers farmers with valuable knowledge and skills, enabling them to increase their livelihoods during the winter season.

First Published: 04 Oct 2023, 09:40 IST