KOKRAJHAR: In keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to promote One District One Product (ODOP), the district administration of Kokrajhar has been taking up numerous initiatives to boost production and sale of its ODOP, mushroom. Although the district produces large quantities of organic mushroom, much of the trade in mushroom was limited to local consumption and to neighbouring districts.
The first step towards exporting mushroom was initiated on Tuesday by district administration, Kokrajhar in association with department of Agriculture, PD-ATMA, APART, Kokrajhar. A consignment of 30 kg of Oyster Mushroom cultivated by Jiban Trishna Farmer unit, channelized by Axom Bazar, was exported to Gelephu, Bhutan. The consignment was flagged off by Varnali Deka, Deputy Commissioner of Kokrajhar, at the DC’s office.
Professor Sandip Das, Bodoland University, who has played a pioneering role in mushroom cultivation in the district, District Agriculture Officer and other staff of Agriculture department were also present.
The district administration of Kokrajhar has been taking up a number of steps to boost mushroom production, including provision of high-quality spawn through the aegis of the Technology Incubation Centre, Bodoland University, training to mushroom farmers and consultancy support to farmers. Further, the district administration is also providing disaster-resilient mushroom huts to Self-Help Groups under Assam State Rural Livelihood Mission. Hand-holding in availing machinery, loans, marketing support is also provided to farmers by the district administration of Kokrajhar.
Deputy Commissioner Varnali Deka said that this initiative will provide much needed impetus to Indo-Bhutan market linkage and also encourage local farmers to produce new varieties suitable to this region and further explore scope of export with neighbouring countries, thereby promoting diversification of the ODOP of the district.
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