Shadow Correspondent
Ramban, OCT 09:
The Mushroom Farming Training Course 2026–27, organised by 23 Rashtriya Rifles under Op Sadbhavana in coordination with the District Agriculture Department, concluded successfully here today.
The initiative aimed at imparting practical skills to local youth enabling them to gain sustainable livelihood thro ugh mushroom cultivation.
Major Pankaj Gupta of 23 Rashtriya Rifles, while addressing the participants, appreciated the coordinated efforts of the Army and the Agriculture Department in organising the training programme. He highlighted the Indian Army’s commitment to the welfare and socio-economic development of local communities, particularly those residing in rural and remote areas.
He emphasised that skill-oriented initiatives play a vital role in empowering people and encouraging self-reliance.
He also appreciated the technical support extended by the Agriculture Department and expressed hope that such collaborative efforts would continue to contribute towards rural development and livelihood generation in the district.
Chief Agriculture Officer Dr. Vinay Kumar Jandial highlighted the potential of mushroom cultivation as a viable subsidiary occupation, particularly for farmers and rural households with limited land resources. He said that mushroom farming requires comparatively less space and offers opportunities for additional income and employment, especially for women and unemployed youth. He encouraged the trainees to apply the techniques learned during the course and avail themselves of the technical guidance and departmental support available for promoting mushroom cultivation.
The training programme was coordinated by District Subject Matter Specialist (SMS) Jyoti Prakash and Junior Agriculture Extension Officer (JAEO) Vikram Bandu, in coordination with Subedar Bhoj Raj Singh of 23 Rashtriya Rifles. The technical sessions focused on imparting practical knowledge and essential skills for scientific and successful mushroom cultivation.
District Agriculture Officer Kuldeep Bassan was also associated with the programme and highlighted the importance of promoting scientific farming practices and livelihood-oriented agricultural activities to strengthen the rural economy.
At the end, certificates were given away to the participants in recognition of successful completion of the training.
