Scheduled Caste Farmers from the Aravalli Hills of Jhadol–Phalasia Learn Scientific Mushroom Cultivation

Udaipur: Farmers belonging to the Scheduled Caste community, residing in villages nestled in the Aravalli hills of the Jhadol–Phalasia region, were trained in scientific mushroom cultivation through a one-day training program organized under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP).

The training was conducted in Nichli Sigri Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti Phalasia, by the All India Coordinated Mushroom Research Project, operated under Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi.

Project In-charge Professor Narayan Lal Meena provided detailed information on the nutritional and medicinal benefits of mushrooms, including their role in lowering blood pressure, managing diabetes, reducing heart disease risks, possessing anti-cancer and anti-Alzheimer’s properties, and offering strong antioxidant benefits. He also explained the scientific methods of cultivating oyster (Dhingri), button, and milky mushrooms, and encouraged farmers to utilize crop residues and dry wood waste for mushroom production.

Avinash Kumar Nagda and Kishan Singh Rajput shared practical, hands-on knowledge related to mushroom cultivation techniques during the training session.

Senior journalist Dhanraj Garasia from the Jhadol–Phalasia region interacted with the participants and administered an oath to uphold the constitutional rights enshrined by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

A total of 30 men and women farmers from 10 villages of Panchayat Samiti Phalasia participated in the training. At the conclusion of the program, participants were provided with mushroom cultivation-related materials to support the adoption of the practice.