Mushroom Training Benefits 173 Farmers in Gumla, Including 60 Korwa Tribal Participants

A five-day training programme on mushroom cultivation has been completed in Gumla district, benefiting 173 farmers, including 60 members of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Korwa community.

The training was organised by the District Horticulture Office under the Horticulture Development Scheme of the Directorate of Horticulture, Government of Jharkhand. Conducted from September 10 to 14, the programme was held at five locations across Jari, Chainpur and Raidih blocks.

A total of 46 farmers participated in the training at Kudar Saktar in Jari block, 26 at Komdo, 32 at Chainpur, 40 at Pibo in Raidih block and 29 at Kobja, taking the overall number of participants to 173. Of them, 60 were from the Korwa community of Jari, while 113 belonged to Scheduled Tribe and other communities.

During the training, farmers were introduced to the importance and potential of mushroom cultivation, different types of mushrooms, cultivation methods, required materials and the nutritional and medicinal properties of mushrooms. Participants were also given hands-on training in mushroom production and successfully carried out practical exercises.

The programme also included group discussions, presentations, motivational songs and activities related to mushroom cultivation. Trainers emphasised that mushroom production can provide an additional source of income for rural households because it requires relatively limited space and can be undertaken alongside other agricultural activities.

At the concluding programme in Kating, the District Horticulture Officer distributed certificates, mushroom cultivation bags, sprayers and other materials among the participating farmers. Similar distribution programmes were organised at the other training centres with the participation of block officials, panchayat representatives, mukhiyas and ward members.

Several local representatives attended the programmes, including Kudar Mukhiya Chahe Minz, ward member Higramuni Devi, Block Pramukh Mamta Soreng at Kobja, Mukhiya Taramin Soreng, ward member Dulari Kerketta, ward member Sukranti, Pradan Kriti Gudiya, Kating Mukhiya Mathura Minz and others.

APP Aggregate Director Prabhakar Kumar provided detailed information on mushroom marketing, processing of mushroom-based products and food processing, highlighting the importance of developing market linkages so that farmers can turn cultivation into a sustainable livelihood.

The training was conducted by Dr Anmol Kumar, Poonam Sanga, Gazala Parveen, Anokha Devi, Pinky Devi and Naveen Kumar Pandey.