: Mushroom growers of Odisha have demanded a revision of recently declared norms of subsidy for mushroom cultivators under the National Horticulture Mission as well as insurance cover for mushroom cultivation.
These demands were made during the meeting of Ganjam district unit of Odisha Mushroom Growers’ Federation at Rangeilunda. According to the adviser of the federation, B. Narasingha Rao, under a joint scheme of Central and State governments taken up under the National Horticulture Mission, a subsidy of 70 per cent had been declared for mushroom cultivation through ‘bamboo structure shade net house’. Under this project, around 200 mushroom growers of Ganjam district had benefited in 2013-14.
But this year, a new notification has come up that reduces the subsidy amount to 50 per cent. This means, in each district of Odisha, at most 504 square metres of ‘bamboo structure shade net house’ mushroom cultivation with subsidy would be promoted. A single mushroom grower would be eligible for subsidised ‘bamboo structure shade net house’ cultivation on maximum 200 square metres.
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The mushroom growers alleged that because of this restriction, the enthusiasm for mushroom cultivation would wane in the State. It would lead to reduction in the number of mushroom cultivators in the State. A large number of small and marginal farmers who had become economically self-sufficient because of mushroom cultivation may be affected.
Mushroom growers have demanded the State agriculture minister and Chief Minister to allow subsidy to each mushroom cultivator for minimum 504 square metres. They have also asked for an agricultural loan up to five lakh rupees at low interest for mushroom growers and to provide insurance cover for mushroom cultivation. It may be noted that till now mushroom cultivation is not eligible for agricultural loan and crop insurance cover in Odisha. The federation demanded establishment of mushroom trading points in all urban centres of the State with the support of mushroom growers.
A large number of small and marginal farmers who had become economically self-sufficient may be affected