Empowering Marginalised Families with Sustainable Mushroom Cultivation Training in Karbi Anglong

Aaranyak, in collaboration with Rabha Agrcotech, completed a successful summer mushroom cultivation training program for marginalised families in Karbi Anglong. Spanning from June 22 to July 18, the training aimed to foster alternative, sustainable livelihoods and saw active participation from local women, ensuring broader knowledge dissemination in mushroom cultivation techniques.

As part of the Alternative Sustainable Livelihood (ASL) Initiatives, Aaranyak, Karbi Anglong's leading biodiversity conservation organisation, in partnership with Rabha Agrcotech, concluded a summer mushroom cultivation training program on July 18. This initiative targeted marginalised Karbi families in the district.

The event commenced with a welcome address by Sarlongjon Teron, Senior Project Officer at Aaranyak. This was followed by a practical session led by mushroom trainer Manoranjan Saikia, who provided detailed instruction on summer mushroom cultivation. The Aaranyak team included Project Officer Joshna Terangpi, Assistant Project Officer (trainee) Sarlongki Teron, Field Assistants Prokash Engti and Beauty Terangpi, and Volunteer Stephan Tokbi.

Held in two phases, starting June 22 and concluding July 18, the training was conducted both centrally and at village clusters. The primary goal was to promote sustainable livelihood opportunities through mushroom cultivation for families in need. 20 women participated in the preliminary training, learning essential steps like paddy straw cutting, sterilisation, and mushroom cylinder preparation. These cylinders were then stored for 20-25 days before the next cultivation step.

The final phase took place in Chandrasing Rongpi village with 19 participants, covering advanced techniques like sand and vermicompost application. Participants expressed their enthusiasm and plans to conduct similar training sessions in their villages, ensuring widespread knowledge dissemination. Jirhun Killingpi and Kareng Rongpipi, training attendees, noted their excitement and gratitude to Aaranyak.

Aaranyak continues its dedication to biodiversity conservation and supporting indigenous communities through sustainable livelihood programs, education, and awareness efforts across the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong and Manas Landscapes in Assam.

(With inputs from agencies.)