Meghalaya CM Inaugurates Rs 15 Crore Shiitake Mushroom Training Centre in Upper Shillong

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated a Rs 15-crore Shiitake Mushroom and Training Centre in Upper Shillong, targeting to benefit around 1,000 farmers and generate potential revenue of Rs 117 crore in three years through Shiitake Mushroom farming.

Shillong, March 5: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma inaugurated a state-of-the-art Shiitake Mushroom and Training Centre in Upper Shillong on Tuesday. The project, funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of DoNER, and the Meghalaya government, aims to empower local farmers and boost the state's agricultural economy.

Promoting Sustainable Farming and Income Generation

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Chief Minister Sangma highlighted the potential of Shiitake Mushroom farming as a lucrative and sustainable livelihood option for farmers. He emphasized that the centre will provide training and support to around 1,000 farmers, enabling them to cultivate Shiitake Mushrooms in three cycles annually. With an estimated income generation of Rs 1 lakh per cycle, the project has the potential to generate revenue of approximately Rs 117 crore for farmers over three years.

Encouraging Farmers to Embrace Shiitake Mushroom Cultivation

Chief Minister Sangma encouraged farmers to embrace Shiitake Mushroom farming, citing its advantages such as minimal space requirement and basic maintenance. He assured the farmers that there is a ready market for Shiitake Mushrooms, and the state aims to become a supplier to the rest of the country.

Inclusive Development and Empowering All Sections of Society

Sangma emphasized the government's commitment to inclusive development and ensuring that all sections of society benefit from the state's growth. He stressed that development would be meaningless if different segments of society were excluded from Meghalaya's growth story.

Investing in Infrastructure and Value Chains for Farmers

The Chief Minister highlighted the state government's significant investment of around Rs 700 crore in the last three years to create value chains and infrastructure for farmers. This investment aims to ensure that farmers' products are remunerative and economically attractive.

Collaboration with YATS Corporation Tokyo

The Shiitake Mushroom and Training Centre has been established in partnership with YATS Corporation Tokyo, a leading global producer of Shiitake mushrooms. The project involves a buy-back mechanism through Shillong Shiitake Products Company Ltd (SSPL), a joint venture between YATS Corporation and Hill Farmers Shiitake Mushroom Co-Op Society Ltd (HFSMC), to ensure market linkage for the farmers' produce.

Mushroom Mission and Farmer Beneficiaries

The Meghalaya government has allocated Rs 62.37 crore for the Mushroom Mission over five years. So far, nearly 5,000 farmers have benefited from the program, which aims to promote mushroom cultivation and enhance farmers' income.

The inauguration of the Shiitake Mushroom and Training Centre marks a significant step towards empowering farmers in Meghalaya and diversifying the state's agricultural sector. By promoting sustainable farming practices and providing market linkages, the project has the potential to transform the lives of farmers and contribute to the overall economic growth of the state.