The Department of Agriculture Production and Farmers Welfare Jammu today inaugurated the picking of button mushrooms at the Demonstration cum Training Centre (DCTC), Krishi Bhawan, Talab Tillo. The event was formally inaugurated by Mission Director, HADP/JKCIP Sandeep Kumar, in the presence of Director Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta; Director Horticulture Jammu Gul Sayed; Mushroom Development Officer Raghubir Pal Kochar, along with other officers and staff of the Agriculture Department.
Speaking on the occasion, Mission Director HADP Sandeep Kumar appreciated the Agriculture Department for promoting mushroom cultivation under controlled environmental conditions. “The establishment of Controlled Cropping Units will enable farmers to cultivate mushrooms round the year, thereby ensuring a steady source of income and livelihood,” he emphasized.
He further highlighted the importance of processing and value addition in mushroom production. “The Mushrooms need to be processed and canned to enhance their shelf life, which will help farmers earn additional income beyond traditional cultivation practices. By integrating processing and marketing with production, farmers can achieve higher profitability and contribute to the overall goal of agricultural sustainability under HADP,” he added.
Later, Sandeep Kumar inspected the Pasteurized Compost Making Unit established at DCTC, where spawning of mushroom bags was in progress. These mushroom bags would be provided to the farmers of the Jammu Division at subsidized rates under departmental initiatives to promote mushroom cultivation at the grassroots level.
Director Agriculture Jammu Anil Gupta highlighted the department’s continuous efforts toward promoting mushroom cultivation as a viable enterprise for small and marginal farmers. He stated that the Department is providing the necessary technical support, training and infrastructure to enhance mushroom production across the division. He further stressed that with the active support of HADP and the collaborative efforts of the line departments, Jammu Division is witnessing remarkable progress in the mushroom sector.
