District Development Commissioner, O P Bhagat today inaugurated Mushroom Demonstration cum Training Centre at Agriculture Complex, Kathua to sustain the interest of present and future generations in agriculture and to focus on doubling the income of farmers by the year 2022.DDC was apprised that among different agri-based enterprises, mushroom cultivation has vast potential to double the existing income level of farmers and this enterprise can easily be adopted by any category of farmers irrespective of their landholding size. Mushroom cultivation is a strong means to diversify livelihoods and strengthen the resilience of farmers. Mushrooms can be grown at a very low cost and in relatively short period as compared to conventional crops.CAO, Arun Gupta informed the DDC that in the year 2019-20, 150 farmers were given 28 days training by the Agriculture department so that the farmers get acquaint themselves with the latest techniques of growing mushroom. He further informed that during previous calendar year a total of 1500 quintal mushroom was produced in Kathua and the farmers of the District earned approximately Rs. 1.5 crore from their mushroom produce. In the current year, 685 quintal of mushroom has already been produced till November 2019, he added.DDC highlighted the role of field extension functionaries regarding mushroom cultivation as they have the responsibility to convince and motivate farmers to adopt mushroom cultivation as an enterprise.Later, the DDC also visited the Soil testing Lab of the Agriculture Department.DAO Sanjeev Rai Gupta, ADO Satish Sharma, Mushroom Development Officer Vinod Khajuria and other concerned were present on the occasion.