A skill-oriented training and demonstration programme on “Enterprising Oyster and Paddy Straw Mushroom Cultivation for Enhanced Family Income and Nutritional Security” was successfully organized on 15 January 2026 at Makundapur village, Salipur block of Cuttack district, under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP) Project. During the inaugural session, Dr. Bira Kishor Sethy, Principal Scientist and PI/Nodal Officer, SCSP, highlighted the immense nutritional and health benefits of oyster and paddy straw mushrooms. He emphasized mushroom cultivation as a viable agribusiness model that can help farmers achieve self-reliance and economic sustainability. Dr. Sumanta Kumar Mishra, Principal Scientist and Co-PI/Member, SCSP, elaborated on the climatic suitability of Odisha for mushroom cultivation and stressed its potential for income generation among farmers, rural youth, women, and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). He further noted that mushroom farming is a low-investment, eco-friendly enterprise with high market demand and quick financial returns. Dr. Mishra also conducted hands-on training by demonstrating the step-by-step process of oyster and paddy straw mushroom cultivation, including bed preparation, management, and care, with enthusiastic involvement of the participants. The programme witnessed active participation of 60 progressive farmers and rural youths from two nearby adopted villages including two women representatives of Panchayatraj Institution, namely, Smt Tilottama Mallick and Smt. Ranjita Samal, both being Ward Members. To encourage adoption, more than 140 oyster mushroom spawn bottles along with required polythene bags were distributed among the trainees. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Santanu Kumar Sahoo, Field Assistant.
