Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 21 October 2024
The Union Territory Agriculture Technology Management Agency (UTATMA), in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture under the Andaman and Nicobar Administration, organized a two-day training program on mushroom cultivation. The event took place at the Community Hall of D.B. Gram, Madhupur Panchayat, on October 17 and 18, aiming to enhance agricultural skills and promote employment opportunities through mushroom farming.
Ms. Arti Singh, Assistant Director of Agriculture at Diglipur, inaugurated the session by welcoming the participants and highlighting the significance of mushroom cultivation. She emphasized the nutritional benefits of mushrooms, noting their increasing importance in the modern diet. Ms. Singh also spoke about the potential for farm women to generate income by adopting mushroom cultivation as a viable agricultural activity.
The technical sessions were led by experts in the field, with Ms. Seena Pillai, Agriculture Officer (I/c), and Ms. Kamrun Nisa, Agriculture Assistant, providing detailed insights into various aspects of mushroom cultivation. They explained the necessary steps for successful farming and addressed participants’ questions.
The practical session, facilitated by ATMA staff members Mr. Ranjan Heera and Ms. Ima Sarkar, focused on hands-on training. Participants were taught how to process paddy straw and were guided through the entire cultivation process, equipping them with essential skills to start their own mushroom farms.
In a similar initiative, a training program was conducted earlier on October 14 and 15 at Keralapuram, in the field of Ms. Seena, W/o Mr. K.N. Subash. Dr. Nagnath Bhojane, Senior Veterinary Officer of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH & VS) Department, attended as the chief guest and encouraged local farmers to adopt mushroom cultivation as part of their household farming practices.
The event also saw participation from representatives of the Fisheries and Forest Departments, who shared information about ongoing schemes and initiatives under their respective departments. An interactive session was held to address participants’ concerns regarding these schemes and other related issues.
The training program was well-received by the community, particularly by farm women looking for sustainable agricultural practices and income-generating opportunities.