A one-day training-cum-demonstration programme on mushroom cultivation was organised for members of Ama Tsokspa at Diskit village on March 10.

The programme aimed to create awareness and provide practical knowledge to farmers, particularly women participants, about scientific mushroom cultivation as an additional source of income and nutritional security.

The training was conducted by Chimet Lhamo, Agriculture Extension Officer, along with Rigzin Dolma, Junior Agricultural Extension Officer, and Tsering Dorjay, Field Assistant. During the session, Chimet Lhamo delivered a detailed training on mushroom cultivation and demonstrated each step of the process to the participating farmers.

The practical demonstration covered the entire procedure of mushroom cultivation, starting from substrate preparation using wheat straw, sterilisation through high-temperature boiling, proper drying and bag filling, and finally the casing of mushroom spawn. Each step was carried out in front of the farmers to help them clearly understand the process and adopt the practice at the household level. Participants actively engaged in the demonstration and gained hands-on experience in preparing and managing mushroom cultivation units.

During the programme, Zahoor Hussain, Sub-Divisional Extension Officer, addressed the participants and briefed them about various departmental schemes and support programmes available for farmers. He encouraged them to take advantage of these initiatives to enhance their agricultural activities and improve their livelihoods.

Stanzin Gonbo, Subject Matter Specialist, also delivered an informative session on the importance of soil health management and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices. He emphasised the need to maintain healthy soil and adopt eco-friendly pest management techniques to ensure sustainable agricultural production.

The programme concluded with an interactive session during which farmers raised queries regarding mushroom cultivation and other agricultural practices. The training-cum-demonstration programme proved beneficial in enhancing farmers’ knowledge and encouraging them to adopt mushroom cultivation as a viable and sustainable farming activity in Diskit village.

Photo Caption: Demonstration on mushroom cultivation for the participating farmers.