Director Agriculture Production & Farmers Welfare, Jammu, K. K. Sharma today inaugurated the Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation Room here at Spawn Production laboratory, Krishi Bhawan. Shiitake Mushroom (Lentinula edodes) is the world’s second most cultivated mushroom, containing medicinal qualities against depressed immune function, cancer, AIDS, environmental allergies and frequent flu and colds.
Speaking on the occasion, the Director Agriculture said that a successful trial of spawn production and cultivation of Shiitake Mushroom is already being carried out in Spawn Production Laboratory, Jammu.The cultivation trial is being carried out on Sawdust of broad leaves in polypropylene bags as per the guidelines of Directorate of Mushroom Research (ICAR), Solan, he said.
Further, it was informed that the 20 Shiitake Mushroom blocks have been procured from Shiitake Cultivation and training Center CSKHPKV, Palampur for multi-location trials at Directorate of Agriculture, Jammu.
“After the trials and standardization of all the parameters, the cultivation technique of Shiitake Mushroom will be transferred to farmer level within one year. This initiative will provide farmers an opportunity for round the year cultivation of Mushroom with enhanced returns,” the Director added.
Joint Director (Inputs), A. S. Reen; Agriculture Chemist, Aman Jyoti; Agriculture Economist, Jog Raj Salathia; Spawn Production officer, Krishan Kant Gupta; Mushroom Production officer, Snajay Dhar; Assistant Agriculture Chemist, Pradeep Sharma, besides other officers were present on the occasion.