₹42-Cr Project To Revolutionise Mushroom Farming In J&K

Agricultural diversification is key to reducing the risk in farming activities and the J&K Government is constantly employing the latest technological interventions to diversify the agriculture sector across Jammu and Kashmir.

Mushroom cultivation is one important tool in not only enhancing the agricultural income of the farming community but also securing it against rising changes in climate and soil resources.

With this in mind, the Government of J&K is implementing a full-fledged project on ‘Promotion of Round the Year Mushroom Cultivation’ (PRYMC) across the UT. The project to be implemented at a cost of around Rs 42 Cr over the next three years by the Agriculture Production Department of J&K will increase the production of Mushrooms by 3.5 times and revolutionize Mushroom Cultivation here, an official statement said.

The project will also increase employment generation by 3 times and more than 768 new enterprises are also being created in the process to ensure the sustainability of the interventions.

“Mushroom farming generates revenue and helps to reduce poverty. The production of mushrooms creates a significant amount of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the fields of cultivation and marketing, as well as providing opportunities for processing businesses and labor-intensive management,” said Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Atal Dulloo.

He added that Mushroom farming requires little capital and little technical expertise, and it is even possible to grow mushrooms indoors on a small scale and easily earn a high return on investment. He further said that women can grow mushrooms in their homes with little investment and as a result, mushroom farming not only gives rural women more power but also fights poverty at its source.

‘Promotion of Round the Year Mushroom Cultivation’ is one among the 29 projects, which were approved by the Jammu and Kashmir administration after being recommended by the UT Level Apex Committee for holistic development of Agriculture and Allied Sectors in UT of J&K.

The prestigious committee is headed by Dr. Mangala Rai, Former DG ICAR, and has other luminaries in the field of Agriculture, Planning, Statistics & Administration like Shri Ashok Dalwai, CEO NRAA, Dr. P. K Joshi, Secretary, NAAS, Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Horticulture Commissioner MOA & FW, Dr. H. S Gupta, Former Director, IARI, Sh. Atal Dulloo IAS, Financial Commissioner (Addl Chief Secretary) APD apart from the Vice Chancellors of the twin Agriculture Universities of the UT.

“Mushroom is an important cottage industry in rural areas. It leads to the economic betterment of small & marginal farmers, landless laborers, and women. Being a cash crop it is a good means of generating employment opportunities for the youth of the UT”, said Director of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Jammu, K.K Sharma, who is implementing the project in collaboration with SKUAST.

He added that the lack of availability of pasteurized compost & unorganized market were the major constraints in mushroom production and this project is going to address them in a significant way.

Under the project 26 pasteurized compost-making units, 10 spawn production labs, and 72 controlled conditioned cropping rooms (2000 bags capacity), will be established in the span of three years. For the promotion of mushroom cultivation in non-traditional areas, 1.5 lakh subsidized pasteurized compost bags will be distributed among mushroom growers. Women empowerment through the establishment of 300 women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) will be undertaken.

The project also focuses on the value addition of the perishable commodity through the creation of four canning units and the distribution of 60 solar dryers among mushroom growers. In addition to this, an amount of Rs 2.1 Crs has been earmarked for research and development.

Under this emphasis will also be laid on the promotion of medicinal mushrooms and the introduction of new strains of mushrooms. It will also have a specific emphasis on the standardization of locally available substrates and documentation of conditions for their optimal growth.

The mushroom sector in J&K is about to witness a resurgence in the form of unprecedented institutional and capital support which will boost production, productivity as well as export of mushrooms from the UT.

This information was provided by the Department of information and public relations J&K. (ANI)

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Modi With King Charles III

Modi Discusses Climate Action With King Charles III Of the UK

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with King Charles III of the UK on the telephone on Tuesday and discussed several subjects including climate change, biodiversity conservation, and solutions for the financing energy transition.

As this was PM Modi’s first conversation with King Charles III after he assumed the Office of Sovereign of the United Kingdom, he conveyed his best wishes to Britain’s monarch for a very successful reign.
A PMO release said that a number of subjects of mutual interest were discussed during the call, including climate action, conservation of biodiversity, and innovative solutions for the financing energy transition.

The Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the abiding interest and advocacy of King Charles III on these issues.

The Prime Minister briefed him on India’s priorities for its G20 Presidency, including the propagation of digital public goods.

He also explained the relevance of Mission LiFE – Lifestyle for Environment, through which India seeks to promote environmentally sustainable lifestyles.

The leaders exchanged views on the Commonwealth of Nations and how to further strengthen its functioning.

They also appreciated the role of the Indian community in the UK in acting as a “living bridge” between both countries and enriching bilateral relations.

King Charles III was officially announced as Britain’s monarch in September last year following the death of his mother Queen Elizabeth II.

India and UK are engaged in negotiations for the finalization of a Free Trade Agreement. UK Secretary of State for International Trade Kemi Badenoch visited New Delhi last month to carry forward the FTA negotiations. She held discussions with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The two sides also discussed bilateral trade and economic relations. (ANI)

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