SKUAST-K exploring new varieties of mushroom cultivation

Srinagar: Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences is putting all the efforts to promote the mushroom cultivation in Kashmir at a larger scale.

University is promoting the cultivation of button mushrooms -- which is cost-effective and high in nutrition.

Assistant professor SKUAST, Tariq Ahmad Sofi, said that these mushrooms are sold at less prices in the market but has high nutritional value.

He said that university is right now working in popularizing another variety of mushrooms called as Dingri.

"Dingri requires less effort and investment than button mushrooms and its chances of facing loss is much less," he said.

Right now the university is providing all the facilities to cultivate these mushrooms free of cost to the farmers.

"We are providing the training, setting up the units everything to the farmers. Until the mushrooms are harvested we provide them free facilities," he said.

In addition to that university also provides the customers to farmers.

"We are getting huge orders for mushrooms and through these farmers we fulfil them," Sofi said.

From time to time university is also providing the training to the farmers so that they can get benefitted.

"It's very profitable business but require efforts. However right temperature and humidity is a must for the production of mushrooms," he said.

Mushroom production requires different processes which include making mushroom compost, preparation of spawns, spawning and casing.

"After casing crop will be ready in a week or 10 days. However there are many challenges farmers face when it comes to mushroom cultivation," Sofi said.

According to Sofi one of the biggest challenges is that there are no composting units in Kashmir.

"Also this is very labour intensive and farmers aren't well trained. Though we are training the farmers but still a lot needs to be covered," he said.

Professor Tariq said this is a very profitable business and youth should take it up as a business choice.

"It has 1:2 economy ratio, if you invest one lakh you can earn two lakhs, but initial two years requires a lot of efforts. One should know about the right temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide level, oxygen level etc," Tariq said.