Agri students of RBU visit mushroom farms

MOHALI: The University School of Agriculture Sciences of the Rayat Bahra University organized a field visit to Khan Mushroom Farm and Training Centre, Una. This programme was sponsored by the National Institute of Agriculture Extension Management, Hyderabad (MANAGE) and the Punjab Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institute, PAU, Ludhiana.

He discussed the economics of mushroom cultivation and attributes of a good entrepreneur. He explained to the student’s compost making and demonstrated them the steps of the compost making. He also gave introduction about Hydroponics which is the technique of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil and their benefits i.e., higher yield, no need for herbicides or pesticides. Hydroponic plants are safe from weeds and insects, and less time consuming.

He himself has grown strawberry, mint and spinach using this technique. The students visited his polyhouse. Where tomatoes of high yielding variety are grown.

The University School of Agriculture Sciences also organized a field visit to Ambchhapa Mushroom Farm, Dera Bassi. This programme was also sponsored by (MANAGE) and Punjab Agriculture Management and Extension Training Institute, PAU, Ludhiana.

The students had an excellent exposure to the mushroom cultivation techniques. Hardeep Singh owner of this farm explained in detail to the students in detail different aspects of mushroom cultivation. He said that compost can be prepared from wheat straw, paddy straw and mustard straw.

He demonstrated the process of spawn making and showed all the equipment required for a spawn making laboratory. He elaborates the methods of harvesting and packaging of mushrooms and also talks about low cost structure for the cultivation of mushrooms. He encouraged the students to start mushroom cultivation.