The Mushroom Growers' Association of India has requested the State government to create awareness and make an official announcement recognising mushroom as a farm crop.
A statement released here by the association said that this would benefit many small-scale mushroom growers enabling them to avail of the benefits entitled to agriculture producers.
Speaking at its annual meeting, association national president Ratan Takur said that although the State government had recognised mushroom as a farm crop around 10 years ago, many departments, institutes and banks were unaware of it.
“This poses difficulties for mushroom growers, especially small-scale growers, in availing of many benefits, including farm loans. If the State government issues an order in this regard, it will be a major boost to the mushroom farming sector. It will also be an encouragement for unemployed youth to take up mushroom farming as a livelihood,” the statement said.
The statement added that mushroom cultivators in the State were among the frontrunners in the field in the country. The Kerala Agriculture University has taken up many research projects on mushroom farming. The association requested the Central and State governments to give proper publicity to projects and schemes related to mushroom farming.
Angel Mushroom Centre, Amachal, and Agrotech, Pirappancode, were awarded the Bharat Gowrav Award for best mushroom cultivators at the event. KAU Dean and faculty of Agriculture Swaroop John, national general secretary of the association Amar Joy and national vice-president Gyan Kashyap were present.
S. Janaki has been selected as State president of the Mushroom Farmers' Association of India at the function.
