image
logo
COMPENDIUM, IEEC-2023   ( ISBN : 978-81-967860-4-5 )
Print
Theme 1: Emerging experiences on CBOs’ intervention and Sustainable Agri-food Systems

Empowerment of Community Based Organisation through Mushroom Cultivation: A Case Study

Ganesh Das, Surajit Khalko, Bikash Roy, Prabhat Kumar Pal

Coochbehar Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Uttar Banga Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Coochbehar, West Bengal
ganesh.ext@gmail.com

Abstract

The climatic conditions of The Terai-Teesta alluvial zone are suitable for the cultivation of oyster mushrooms all around the year and milky mushroom production in the pre-Kharif season. The edible mushroom has a good market facility available in nearby states like Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Nepal. Considering the above scope, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Coochbehar, promoted mushroom cultivation technology among different community-based organisations from 2014 to 2022. It is found from the study that out of a total of 20 farmers' producer companies, nine were actively engaged in the production of mushrooms on a commercial scale. It was found from the study that out of 34 SHGs, 25 were producing mushrooms as a source of income generation. A number of individuals have adopted the technique of mushroom spawn production as a source of vocation for income generation, and among them, two individuals developed a mushroom spawn production company. It was also found from the study that the majority of community-based organisations perceived constraints on the marketing of raw mushrooms, followed by good packaging, a lower price in the rabi season, high pest and disease infestation in the pre-kharif season, and low production in the summer session. Based on the issue, Coochbehar Krishi Vigyan Kendra took the initiative to introduce milky mushroom cultivation among the CBO in the pre-kharif season. It was found that the majority of the CBO grows milky mushrooms in the pre-Kharif season. For introducing varieties of mushrooms among different community-based organisations, Coochbehar Krishi Vigyan Kendra demonstrated button mushrooms, paddy straw mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms in this region, but the demonstration failed due to climatic factors, low-quality spawn, and a low level of resources.

IEEC-2023 at RARI (SKNAU, Jobner), Jaipur, Rajasthan organised by Society of Extension Education, Agra, India