EX-TRAINING SAMMELAN ON MUSHROOMS KVK, ROPAR

Ludhiana, February 17, 2017: Ex-training Sammelan for Mushroom trainees of KVK, Ropar was organized at KVK, Ropar on 15.2.2017. Dr. Manjit Singh, Mushroom Advisor, Govt. of Punjab & Ex-Director, Directorate of Mushroom Research (ICAR-DMR), Solan chaired the programme. Dr. Shammi Kapoor, Sr.Mycologist, Deptt.of Microbiology, PAU, Ludhiana also graced the occasion. Dr.Darshan Pal, Assistant Director Horticulture, Deptt. of Horticulture Punjab, Ropar also participated in the programme. About 80 mushroom trainees of KVK, Ropar participated in the function. The purpose of the training was to collect the feedback of trainees and accordingly improve the course-curriculum of training and practical problems faced by the trainees in growing and ultimately marketing the produce. Dr. Sanjeev Ahuja, Course Coordinator of Mushroom trainings informed that 124 trainees successfully completed mushroom growing trainings during 2015 and 2016 out of 7 training programmes conducted. Dr. Manjit Singh interacted with the trainees, listened to the ground level problems in adoption of Mushroom growing and guided them for better mushroom production technology and marketing strategies. Dr. Manjit Singh informed the trainees that vitamin D content of Mushrooms can be increased by 100 fold by increasing the 15 minute UV lamp exposure in the growing room. The most of the people are found deficient to vitamin D these days. In answer to one of the questions of trainees, he advised not to wash the mushrooms which otherwise reduce the shelf life of mushrooms as well as recommend them to avoid any chemical washing of mushrooms which is most common trend among mushroom growers. Dr. Manjit Singh was very kind to help the mushroom trainees against any problem faced at any level in the mushroom production. Dr. Manjit Singh distributed certificates to more than 40 trainees of last two winter mushroom training groups of 2016. Dr. Shammi Kapoor, Sr. Mycologist guided the mushroom trainees regarding the technical problems in mushroom growing and availability of spawn etc. He welcomed the mushroom trainees at PAU for any type of difficulty regarding mushroom production. Dr. Darshan Pal, Assistant Director Horticulture told about the various horticulture schemes and mushroom subsidy facilities available with the horticulture department and the method of availing of subsidy facility. Dr. Manjit Singh also awarded the three mushroom growers who had got training for KVK, Ropar are Gurinder Singh,village Bhaku majra, Sh. Jasvir Singh village Bhagat majra and Mrs. Gagandeep kaur, Shri Anandpur Sahib. Dr. Harinder Singh, Programme coordinator, KVK, Ropar thanked Dr. Manjit Singh, Dr. Shammi Kapoor and Dr. Darshan Pal. For the valuable suggestion given to the mushroom trainees for the successful mushroom entrepreneurship.