Dibrugarh: In a major push towards promoting sustainable rural livelihoods, the Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat, has trained 110 women farmers from Kolbari and Kareng Chapori villages in scientific oyster mushroom cultivation.The Farmers’ Training Programmes on Scientific Oyster Mushroom Cultivation was conducted at the two villages of Jorhat district on Thursday.The training initiatives were organised under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) component of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Mushroom Scheme, sponsored by the ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan, Himachal Pradesh.The programmes witnessed an enthusiastic response from the local farming community, with 110 women participating in the sessions. The turnout reflected the growing awareness among rural women about the potential of mushroom farming as a reliable and rewarding source of income.The training sessions were designed to equip participants with both theoretical understanding and practical skills related to the scientific cultivation of oyster mushrooms. From substrate preparation and spawn inoculation to the management of growing conditions and post-harvest handling, the women farmers were taken through each stage of the cultivation process in a structured and accessible manner.“Oyster mushroom cultivation is one of the most viable and low-investment livelihood options available to rural women. With the right training and support, it can transform household incomes and bring about meaningful economic independence,” a representative of AAU said.The programmes were specifically aimed at encouraging rural women to adopt mushroom farming not merely as a supplementary activity but as a primary livelihood pursuit. By integrating scientific practices into traditional farming approaches, the initiative sought to enhance productivity and ensure that participants could achieve consistent and marketable yields.
