On August 29, 2023, the Don Bosco Tech Thakurmunda center hosted its second guest lecture session for the Mushroom Grower job role. This informative event was organized for the students of Batch-3, Accenture 2023-24, and featured a special guest, Ms. Latarani Mohanta, Field Officer of the Horticulture Department, Government of Odisha.

The session commenced with a warm welcome address by the domain trainer, Mr. Jagadish Prasad Swain, who introduced and greeted Ms. Latarani Mohanta as the esteemed guest lecturer.

Ms. Mohanta initiated the lecture by highlighting the numerous benefits of mushrooms. She described mushrooms as an ideal fungal organism for producing protein-rich food from various agricultural wastes without the need for composting. Notably, mushrooms are a pure vegetarian food option, making them suitable for individuals with dietary restrictions such as diabetics. Additionally, mushrooms offer various medicinal properties, aiding in the treatment of conditions like gastric ulcers due to their high fiber content and absence of sugar. Ms. Mohanta emphasized that mushroom cultivation has evolved into a profitable business venture, with substantial returns in the market.

Furthermore, she advised aspiring mushroom producers and farmers to undergo training before venturing into cultivation. While typically they could reach out to Mushroom Research Stations or Agriculture Universities, Ms. Mohanta pointed out that Don Bosco Tech offers free mushroom cultivation training—an excellent opportunity for individuals looking to support their families financially. She stressed the importance of considering specific factors during cultivation, including seed/spawn preparation techniques, substrate preparation methods, infrastructure requirements, crop management, pest and disease management, post-harvest handling, and the economics of mushroom cultivation. She also highlighted Don Bosco Tech's mission to empower women by providing agriculture-oriented modules, enabling them to acquire farming skills, achieve financial independence, and earn self-respect.

The latter part of the session featured a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) session, during which trainees had the chance to ask questions, and Ms. Latarani Mohanta provided valuable insights and answers. The session concluded with Mr. Jagadish Prasad Swain extending heartfelt thanks to Ms. Latarani for generously dedicating her time to educate the students, emphasizing the importance of such knowledge-sharing endeavors.

Don Bosco Tech is committed to equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in various fields, including mushroom cultivation. We extend our gratitude to Ms. Latarani Mohanta for her enlightening lecture and look forward to more such valuable sessions in the future.