Don Bosco Tech - Sambalpur Center organized 2nd Guest lecturer session for Mushroom Grower (Batch-6, Accenture -12) job role on November 9, 2022. The designated topic for the above-mentioned session was “Production of various types of mushrooms in India”. The guest lecture started with the welcome address by the domain trainer Mr. Dillip Kumar Behera. He introduced and welcomed Mr. Prakash Barla from Majhi Mushroom farm to deliver the lecture.

He has briefed types of mushroom in India and various types of mushrooms to be grown in different seasons of a year and the factors affecting them. There are mainly three different types of mushrooms grown in India namely oyster mushrooms, paddy straw mushrooms, and button mushrooms. All these mushrooms are of commercial importance they are grown over different techniques, and methods He enlightened trainees by pointing out the advantages of paddy straw mushroom and deliberated on the production cost for starting the cultivation as a small farm of mushroom at home. Of all the activities, growing paddy straw mushrooms requires the least amount of investment and is therefore the most lucrative business. Straw mushrooms are fungi that grow on paddy straw. He described step by step of cultivation of paddy straw mushrooms; such as Spawning, Bed preparation, and Mushrooming. These mushrooms must be consumed fresh because they have a very short shelf life due to their fragility he said. He also emphasized the trainees about the importance of self-employment and its value addition to a family in terms of livelihood.

As the session was approaching its climax, trainees interacted with keen interest and raised questions as to how to make a career in the field of cultivation of mushrooms and were suitably answered. Mr. Prakash also gave a few tips on how to prevent spillage during the process of production. Trainees were very enthusiastic and energetic throughout the session. Mr. Prakash was very amazed by the participation and interest shown by the participants in the program.

Mr. Prakash summed up the session by answering queries and deliberating on the enormous scope for self-employment leading to a decent livelihood for a mushroom grower. The session ended with a hearty thanks to Mr. Prakash by Mr. Sarat Chandra Dash in appreciation for taking the time out to educate the trainees.