SAMETI Medziphema conducts training on mushroom production

DIMAPUR: State Agricultural Management and Extension Training Institute (SAMETI), Medziphema, organised a six-day Skill Training of Rural Youth (STRY) programme on ‘Mushroom production techniques and value addition’ from March 13 to the 18th at Medziphema.

The STRY programme was held in association with National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad, an update stated.  

Addressing the inaugural programme, Director SAMETI and Principal IETC, Medziphema, Dr. Watimongla Jamir, said mushroom cultivation has huge scope in the commercial sector and asserted that oyster mushroom cultivation can be started at home to kick-start the process of “learning by doing.”

She stressed on the need for youths to take up self-employment to become self-reliant and contribute in elevating the economy of the state.

Deputy Project Director, SAMETI, and nodal officer STRY, Tiajungla Longchar, gave an overview of STRY and welcomed the participants.

The training programme covered topics on introduction to mushroom production, livelihood income generation, nutritional value, medicinal value, oyster mushroom production, raw materials used, procedure for oyster mushroom cultivation, entrepreneurial opportunities through mushroom cultivation, and benefits of mushroom cultivation, shiitake mushroom production and value addition in mushrooms.

Resources persons for the training program included Bendangenla Weo, president of village level organisation SHG under NSRLM, Virazouma village, and Lhüvevolü A Rhakho, founder and owner of Native Organics Nagaland.

Certificates, training manuals and mushroom kits were distributed to the participants at the end of the training programme. A total of 16 youths attended the training programme, it stated.