Ludhiana: Due to overwhelming response to the training program on “Mushroom Cultivation,” the Skill Development Center, Directorate of Extension Education, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), in collaboration with the Department of Microbiology, organized a second batch of five-day training course for the farmers and farm women of Punjab under the able guidance of Dr Makhan Singh Bhullar. Meanwhile, nine extension scientists were provided hands-on training in organic farming for chemical-free production.
Providing information about the program, Dr Rupinder Kaur stated that 55 trainees from different districts of Punjab received mushroom course-related knowledge from subject-matter experts of the university. In her address, she said that mushroom and organic cultivation were highly profitable occupations through which one could establish a unique identity as a successful entrepreneur and a farmer. She further advised farmers to gain monetary benefits by promoting mushroom processing (by preparing products such as mushroom powder, pickles, and other nutritious food products) and organic growing (for residue-free production and consumption).
The Course Coordinator Dr Kulvir Kaur informed that the Skill Development Center organized mushroom training course twice a year to promote this auxiliary occupation among rural and urban Punjab. Organic cultivation was gaining momentum in view of adulterated food products capturing the market, she observed.
Experts including Dr Shivani Sharma, Dr Jaspreet Kaur, and Dr Anna Goel from the Department of Microbiology; Dr Sonika Sharma from the Department of Food and Nutrition; Dr Arshdeep Singh from the Department of Food Science and Technology; Dr Rakesh Rathore from the School of Business Studies; Dr Anureet Kaur Chandi from the Department of Entomology; and Dr Jaspreet Kaur Gill Sidhu, State Department of Horticulture, explained diverse aspects of mushroom cultivation with focus on its agronomic practices, processing, packaging, and marketing.
Experts Dr AS Sidhu, Dr Gulab Pandove, Dr Subhash Singh, Dr Namisha, Dr Ajay Kumar Chaudhary, and Dr Manisha Thakur talked about the concept, scope and benefits of organic cultivation.
Experts Dr Kulvir Kaur and Mrs Kanwaljeet Kaur practically demonstrated the method of preparing mushroom pickle.
Extension Scientist Dr Lavleesh Garg highlighted skill related training courses conducted at the Skill Development Center.
Later, Mrs Kanwaljeet Kaur thanked all the trainees and the university experts, and advised the participants to become successful entrepreneurs via the knowledge gained during this course.