The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is spearheading a health-centric agricultural revolution in Himachal Pradesh, India, by promoting Shiitake Mushroom farming. This initiative is part of JICA's Crop Diversification Promotion Project, which seeks to diversify the mushroom varieties grown in the state.
The Palampur District's Shiitake Mushroom Centre in Kangra is the hub for this agricultural venture. Dr. Suneel Chauhan, the Project Director, revealed a pilot scheme that merges the wards of farmers from the project area with the Japanese government’s technical intern training program. The goal is to provide practical training in Japanese farming techniques, particularly Shiitake Mushroom farming.
The announcement was made at a meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Development Society (HPADS) Executive Council at the HP Secretariat in Shimla. Dr. C Paul Rasu, Secretary of Agriculture and Chairman of the Executive Council, chaired the meeting. HPADS, along with JICA, is actively pursuing crop diversification in the state.
Himachal Pradesh, known for farming exotic mushrooms like Button, Oyster, and Milky Mushrooms, is ready to add Shiitake Mushrooms to its agricultural portfolio. The selected districts, including Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi, Solan, Bilaspur, and Kullu, have favourable conditions for Shiitake Mushroom farming, presenting an additional income source for small-scale farmers.
Source: thenewshimachal.com
