Two-day workshop on ‘Mushrooms: Biology, Cultivation & Entrepreneurship’ organised by the Department of Botany, Eliezer Joldan Memorial (EJM) College, Leh in collaboration with the National Mission for Himalayan Studies (NMHS) concluded on October 29.

The workshop was attended by more than two hundred students, faculties and non-teaching staff of EJM College.

Principal Investigator of NMHS Project, Professor Yash Pal Sharma who was also a former Head of Botany Department, University of Jammu was the keynote speaker on the occasion.

Prof Yash Pal highlighted the macrofungal diversity of the world and fungi as an alternative food resource. He stressed harvesting and consuming wild mushrooms and the prospects of mushrooms in the field of medicine and food security.

Scientist from Krishi Vigyan Kendra Leh, Dr. Vikas Gupta gave a detailed presentation on the cultivation of button mushroom and oyster mushroom in Ladakh.

Professor Tashi Ldawa highlighted the importance of wild and cultivated mushrooms, particularly in the context of Ladakh. He also appreciated the Department of Botany for organising a workshop on such a relevant and important topic that would benefit the students and budding entrepreneurs.

Assistant Professor, Botany, Dr. Konchok Dorjey gave a presentation on the topic “The Amazing World of Mushrooms”. He spoke about mushroom fungi, their biology, ecological role, mushroom poisoning, and the importance of mushrooms as food and medicine.

Later, Agri-entrepreneur from Likir, Sonam Angmo shared about agribusiness and its opportunities in Ladakh.