Shimla: Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Tuesday said more research is needed to increase the shelf-life of mushrooms and more people should be motivated to take up mushroom cultivation.
Speaking at the 27th National Mushroom Fair organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Directorate of Mushroom Research, (ICAR-DMR) Solan, Shukla said that scientists, growers, entrepreneurs and industries need to come together on one platform using available modern Is. Technology to increase production and marketing of mushrooms.
He said, “Mushroom production in India, which was around one lakh tonnes 10 years ago, has reached 3.50 lakh tonnes today and India ranks fourth in mushroom production, ensuring good income in a short period of two to three months. "
He also appealed to the Directorate to take the production technologies to every corner of the country through agricultural universities and agricultural science centers so that the mushroom growers can get good prices from the varieties produced.
The Governor further said that apart from commercial production, there are some varieties of wild mushrooms like 'Gucchi and Keedajadi' mushrooms which need to be worked upon to increase their productivity as they can really fetch good prices. He also laid emphasis on organizing fairs, seminars, training and exhibitions from time to time to make farmers aware.
On this occasion, the Governor presented the Progressive Mushroom Grower Award to Anuj Kumar of Assam, Ganesh of Maharashtra, Prakash Chand of Odisha, Rekha Kumari of Bihar and Shije of Kerala.
Earlier, the Governor also inaugurated the exhibition based on mushroom production put up by various entrepreneurs and interacted with them besides showing keen interest in their products.
Speaking at the 27th National Mushroom Fair organized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Directorate of Mushroom Research, (ICAR-DMR) Solan, Shukla said that scientists, growers, entrepreneurs and industries need to come together on one platform using available modern Is. Technology to increase production and marketing of mushrooms.
He said, “Mushroom production in India, which was around one lakh tonnes 10 years ago, has reached 3.50 lakh tonnes today and India ranks fourth in mushroom production, ensuring good income in a short period of two to three months. "
He also appealed to the Directorate to take the production technologies to every corner of the country through agricultural universities and agricultural science centers so that the mushroom growers can get good prices from the varieties produced.
The Governor further said that apart from commercial production, there are some varieties of wild mushrooms like 'Gucchi and Keedajadi' mushrooms which need to be worked upon to increase their productivity as they can really fetch good prices. He also laid emphasis on organizing fairs, seminars, training and exhibitions from time to time to make farmers aware.
On this occasion, the Governor presented the Progressive Mushroom Grower Award to Anuj Kumar of Assam, Ganesh of Maharashtra, Prakash Chand of Odisha, Rekha Kumari of Bihar and Shije of Kerala.
Earlier, the Governor also inaugurated the exhibition based on mushroom production put up by various entrepreneurs and interacted with them besides showing keen interest in their products.
