The Mushroom Research and Training Centre of the Department of Plant Pathology, Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, successfully organised a hands-on training programme on Scientific Mushroom Cultivation on Wednesday at Dr Nobin Bordoloi College, Jorhat. The initiative, held under the AICRP on Mushroom scheme, was designed to empower students with practical, entrepreneurial skills in sustainable agriculture.
The event was a collaborative effort involving the Jorhat Teachers’ Meet and the Entrepreneurship Development Cell of the host college. Around 30 students from various colleges across Jorhat actively participated, gaining direct practical knowledge of scientific mushroom cultivation methods.
The training commenced with an inaugural session attended by Dr Palash Deb Nath, Professor and Head of the Department of Plant Pathology, AAU, and Dr Diganta Phukan, Principal of Dr. Nobin Bordoloi College.
Dr Apurba Das, Principal Investigator of the AICRP on Mushroom, coordinated the comprehensive training sessions. He stressed the dual benefit of the skill transfer.
“Mushroom cultivation is not just a scientific pursuit; it is a viable, low-cost avenue for entrepreneurship, especially for young graduates. Our primary goal is to transfer this specialised knowledge directly to the students, helping them transition from being job seekers to potential job creators,” he said.
The curriculum was intensive, focusing on every practical step involved in cultivating high-value mushroom varieties. Topics covered ranged from the meticulous process of spawn preparation and substrate sterilisation to the technical aspects of maintaining optimal climate control and efficient harvesting.
Dr Diganta Phukan praised the collaboration, noting its importance in enriching the students’ education. “Providing students with tangible skills like scientific mushroom cultivation aligns perfectly with our vision of holistic education, equipping them with an alternative livelihood option right,” he remarked.
