Pasighat, Aug. 6 – A series of mushroom‑cultivation training programmes organised by the Mushroom Development Centre (MDC) under the Arunachal Pradesh Mushroom Development Mission (APMDM) finished Thursday in the East Siang district. The initiative, which began on July 27, aimed to boost rural livelihoods by teaching residents how to grow oyster mushrooms.
Five training sessions were held in different circles and subdivisions of the district, reaching a total of 200 trainees. The curriculum focused on oyster mushroom cultivation, stressing its low production cost, ease of cultivation, strong market demand, and potential as a sustainable source of income.
Participants received hands‑on instruction and demonstration‑based learning. The training also included the distribution of mushroom grow kits so that trainees could start cultivating at home immediately after the sessions.
Technical sessions were led by Dr. N. Surmina Devi, Associate Professor of Plant Pathology at the Pasighat‑based College of Agriculture. The event was attended by officials from the Horticulture Department, including District Horticulture Officer Oyin Tayeng, Horticulture Development Officer Oyi Modi, Horticulture Marketing Officer Bini Tagom, and MDC HDO in‑charge Nuka Dai. Local representatives from Bogong‑I ZPM Olom Moyong, Bogong‑II ZPM Ainam Saroh, Monggu Banggo‑I ZPM Bapiyang Tayeng, Bosing‑I ZPM Toni Siram, and Bilat‑I GPC Aseng Nonang were also present.
The programmes concluded with a focus on empowering local communities to develop a viable, low‑cost agricultural enterprise that can enhance food security and generate sustainable income.
