SKUAST-K launches MSME- sponsored ESDP on Oyster mushroom cultivation

Srinagar, Jan 30: Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology of Kashmir inaugurated an Advanced Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) on “Spawn and Ready-to-Fruit Bags of Oyster Mushroom” at its Shalimar campus.

The week-long program, organised by SKUAST-K’s Division of Plant Pathology and sponsored by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, is designed to transform aspiring scholars and farmers into successful entrepreneurs.

The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Prof Haroon Naik, Director Research and Director Planning & Monitoring, Prof. Rehana Kant, Director Extension, and Prof. Ali Anwar, Head, Division of Plant Pathology.

Chief Guest Prof. Haroon Naik underscored the pivotal role SKUAST-K plays in nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs through MSME-sponsored initiatives. He credited the university’s rapid ascent as a premier agricultural institution to the visionary leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nazir A. Ganie, whose focus on skill-based programs has opened new doors for the region’s youth.

Prof Rehana Kant termed the training a “gateway to success,” urging participants to leverage these skills to create sustainable livelihoods and carve out a niche in the competitive market. Echoing this sentiment, Prof. Ali Anwar highlighted the need to adapt to global standards in research and innovation to remain relevant in a fast-evolving agribusiness landscape.

Distinguished guests Prof MY Ghani and Prof Qazi Nissar elaborated on the specific economic potential of “Ready-to-Fruit” bags, identifying them as a highly accessible livelihood option for women and rural enterprises. The program coordinator, Dr Vaseem Yousuf, provided a technical roadmap of the course, including hands-on training for modern spawn production and climate control systems.