Five-day programme — three days of hands-on mushroom cultivation and two days of business development — for about 45 farmers, rural youth and women from self-help groups.
With the objective of promoting sustainable and alternative livelihoods, a five-day Mushroom Cultivation and Business Development Training Programme was organised at Pajitilani village, Kalsi block. It was designed for small and marginal farmers, rural youth and members of self-help groups.
Objectives
- Scientific and practical knowledge of mushroom cultivation
- Self-employment and entrepreneurship at the local level
- Business skills to set up mushroom-based micro-enterprises
- Understanding of market linkages, value addition and marketing
Day-wise schedule
- Day 1 (26 Dec) — Introduction to mushroom cultivation, types of mushrooms, basic requirements
- Day 2 (27 Dec) — Raw material preparation, spawn handling and inoculation, temperature, humidity and hygiene
- Day 3 (28 Dec) — Filling bags, pest and disease management, harvesting and storage
- Day 4 (29 Dec) — Mushroom-based entrepreneurship, cost–benefit analysis, business plans
- Day 5 (30 Dec) — Packaging, branding, market linkage, government schemes; live FSSAI registration of a participant
Outcomes
- Greater confidence and technical knowledge among participants
- New self-employment and income opportunities identified
- Interest in setting up village-level mushroom units
- First steps towards group-based and cooperative mushroom enterprises
Certificates were distributed to all participants at the valedictory session on 30 December 2025. The programme was covered by local print and electronic media.
