Training on oyster mushroom production organized by ICAR-KVK, CCARI, North Goa

Oyster Mushroom Production training was organized at Old Goa on 23 January 2026 to promote entrepreneurship development and enhance livelihood opportunities among farmers, rural youth, women, and self-help groups.

Dr. Manohara K. K., Director In-Charge, ICAR-CCARI, Goa, inaugurated the program. He spoke about the role of mushroom cultivation as a sustainable, low-investment agri-enterprise with high nutritional and economic potential and market demand. Dr. N. Bommayasamy, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR-KVK North Goa, delivered a lecture on low-cost oyster mushroom production techniques using locally available agro-waste as substrates. Mr. Pankaj Narcinva Mapari, Assistant Professor (Plant Pathology), Goa College of Agriculture, discussed oyster mushroom spawn production, cultivation, and marketing. Dr. Nivya K. R., SMS (Floriculture & Landscaping), provided guidance on processing and value addition for oyster mushrooms. Mr. Rahul Kumar, SMS (Agronomy), delivered a lecture on effective recycling of spent mushroom substrate in vermicomposting.

As part of the event, hands-on demonstrations were conducted by Mr. Pankaj Narcinva Mapari and Dr. Nivya K. R., covering various aspects of oyster mushroom production, including substrate preparation, spawning, crop management, pest and disease management, harvesting, and post-harvest handling. Information on cost economics and value addition opportunities was also shared. Participants actively engaged in hands-on training and gained confidence in adopting oyster mushroom cultivation as an income-generating activity. A total of 21 participants, including 4 males and 17 females from different parts of North Goa district, attended and benefited from the programme. The program was organized by Dr. Nivya K. R., Dr. N. Bommayasamy, and Mr. Pankaj Narcinva Mapari as course directors, and Mr. Rahul Kumar, Mr. Vishwajit Prajapati, and Mr. Aishwar Kumar Tiwari gave technical assistance.