Meghalaya Mushroom mission launched by chief guest and octogenarian farmer Sber Majaw

Staff Correspondent

Shillong: The Department of Agriculture, Meghalaya, officially launched the ‘Meghalaya Mushroom Mission’ at function held at the Main Secretariat building on Thursday. The function was chaired by Meghalaya Additional Chief Secretary KN Kumar. Sber Majaw, an octogenarian farmer from Law -Sohtun village was the chief guest during the function and she also released the Meghalaya Mushroom Mission document.

The function also witnessed the presence of Colonel Ranjit Singh, authorized representative of Yats Corporation Company Ltd, Japan, representatives from the Hills Farmers’ Union and key department officials.

The Meghalaya Mushroom Mission is a five-year mission with a budget of Rs 62.37 crore out of which rupees Rs 4 crore is earmarked for production and cultivation of Shiitake mushroom. The main objectives of the mission is to scale up mushroom production and productivity in the State from the current figure of 27 metric tonnes per annum to 5,000 metric tonnes at the end of five years.

The mission is expected to cover 1,000 mushroom farmers and entrepreneurs through a cluster- based approach. The mission will focus mainly on production of Oyster Mushroom, Button Mushroom and Shiitake Mushroom in the 7 districts comprising villages of East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, Ri-Bhoi, South West Khasi Hills, East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills and West Garo Hills districts.

The function also witnessed the signing of a tripartite MoU between the Department of Agriculture, Meghalaya represented by MN Nampui, Secretary Agriculture, Yats Corporation Company Ltd represented by Col Ranjit Singh and Hills Farmers’ Union, represented by general secretary, Allfondbirth Kharsyntiew.

Yats Corporation Company which is a leading global producer of organic Shiitake mushrooms, will provide technical assistance and technology transfer relating to promotion, expansion of mushroom cultivation, capacity building, training and entrepreneurship development, marketing and buy-back arrangement, value addition and processing.

Also read: Meghalaya news