Srinagar: A meeting of exotic mushroom growers, buyers and key stakeholders was held under the chairmanship of Joint Director Mushroom, Kashmir, Mr. Madan Gopal Singh, at the Meeting Hall of the Directorate of Agriculture, Lal Mandi, Srinagar, to explore the possibilities of exporting exotic mushrooms from the Kashmir Valley.
The meeting was attended by Mushroom Specialist Mr. Amjad Hussian, Senior Scientist Mushroom Mr. Bhupinder Gupta, Technical Officer to Joint Director Mushroom Dr. Shabir U Rehman, Managing Director, PSAD Foods & Technology Pvt. Ltd., Mr. A. K. Singh, and Mr. Manish Sharimali, MS Agriculture Industry, Ahmedabad. Representatives of exotic mushroom growers, Mushroom FPO The Foodley, Shalley Farms, Zakura, and the Mushroom Cooperative Society also participated in the deliberations.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on various aspects of exotic mushroom production, aggregation, quality standards, marketing and export potential. The participants deliberated upon measures required to establish a reliable and sustainable supply chain capable of meeting the quality, consistency and quantity requirements of prospective buyers and export markets.
The growers expressed their willingness to work collectively and agreed to initially supply the required quantity of exotic mushrooms to buyers on a daily basis. It was further agreed that production would be progressively enhanced to the maximum feasible level over the course of one year, subject to market demand and the availability of requisite production, technical and marketing support.
The meeting emphasized the need for greater coordination among growers, buyers, Department of Agriculture, and other stakeholders to develop Kashmir as a reliable source of high-quality exotic mushrooms for domestic and international markets.
The meeting concluded with a commitment from all stakeholders to work in close coordination towards strengthening exotic mushroom cultivation, aggregation and market linkages in Kashmir. It was also decided that liaison officers nominated by the Department of Agriculture would facilitate coordination among growers, buyers and other stakeholders and support the expansion and promotion of exotic mushroom products across Pan-India.
The initiative is expected to provide mushroom growers in the Valley with improved market opportunities, encourage commercial-scale cultivation and contribute towards diversification of agricultural activities and enhancement of farmers’ incomes.
