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Empowering farmers for livelihood improvement through mushroom cultivation

        Mushroom cultivation has been a lucrative subsidiary enterprise for the farmers of the hilly state. Mushroom enterprise is a seasonal activity for most of the farmers. However, the growing consciousness amongst the consumers with regards to the nutritional and medicinal value of mushrooms there’s an increasing demand for fresh as well as value added mushroom products in the tourists’ state of Meghalaya. Mr. Augustine Makri of Mawphrew village under Marngar cluster has been a progressive framer and successful seasonal mushroom grower. As part of the interventions made under the Farmers FIRST project of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Megahalaya, Mr. Augustine was partially aided to renovate his otherwise mud plastered thatch roof hut to a semi-permanent tin roof low cost mushroom house. Timely guidance was provided by Dr. Tasvina R. Borah and Dr. Naseeb Singh, Co-PIs of the project during the site selection and construction of the scientific low cost mushroom house. Further, inputs such as chaff cutter and mushroom spawn were provided to Mr. Augustine to start mushroom cultivation from the coming season and carry out round the year mushroom production. Seasonal production of oyster mushroom during the six months period (September – February) could fetch him an amount of Rs. 25000 – 30000/- only. Round the year cultivation of only oyster mushroom under hygienic and proper growing conditions can provide him an additional income of Rs. 80000 – 100000/-. The activity carried out under Enterprise component of Farmers FIRST project was implemented and executed by Dr. Uttam Singh PI, Co-PIs and the project assistant.