ATMA Zunheboto trains youth in mushroom farming

DIMAPUR — The Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) Zunheboto, in collaboration with the State Agricultural Management Extension and Training Institute (SAMETI) Medziphema and MANAGE Hyderabad, organised a six-day skill training of rural youth (STRY) programme on mushroom production techniques from February 5 to 10 at Satakha Old under Satakha block.

According to an update, during the inaugural session, Vikaho Chophi, Deputy Project Director of ATMA, stated in his keynote address that the training was designed to provide skill-based training in agriculture and allied areas in accordance with the National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship 2015 in order to create skilled manpower, generate entrepreneurs, and employ rural youths.

The resource person, Tovi V Jimomi, Assistant Technology Manager of Satakha block, discussed various aspects of mushrooms, including concepts, types, uses, cultivation opportunities and constraints. It also covered acquaintance with edible, non-edible, medicinal, and poisonous mushrooms, as well as the establishment of commercial mushroom production units.

Vialo Sumi, Assistant Technology Manager at Satakha Block, discussed the importance of mushroom cultivation, mushroom cultivation as an agribusiness activity, mushroom spawn quality attributes, storage and transport, mushroom contamination, mushroom processing and preservation, and value addition.

The participants also had a practical, hands-on demonstration on oyster mushrooms.

In the valedictory session, L. Nunsang Jamir, Project Director of ATMA and District Agricultural Officer of Zunheboto, encouraged the youths to take advantage of the opportunity to develop their skills and earn money from them.

Under the programme, a total of 15 youth were trained and awarded certificates.

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