24 June 2026, Guwahati
The XXVIII All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP)-Mushroom Workshop was jointly organized by ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan and Assam Agricultural University (AAU), Jorhat at the Assam Veterinary and Fishery University (AVFU), Khanapara, Guwahati, on 23–24 June 2026. The two-day workshop brought together scientists, researchers, policymakers, extension personnel, and farmers to deliberate on recent advances in mushroom research, sustainable production technologies, and strategies for strengthening the mushroom sector in the country.
Dr Dipjyoti Rajkhowa, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, graced the inaugural session as the Chief Guest, while Dr Niranjan Kalita, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati, attended as the Special Guest. Dr Sudhakar Pandey, Assistant Director General (FVS&MP), ICAR, New Delhi, was the Guest of Honour.
Other distinguished dignitaries included Sh. Bipin Chandra, Director, Agriculture & Food Processing, Dr Sanjay Chetia, Director Research, Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, and Dr B.L. Attri, Director (A), ICAR-DMR, Solan.
Welcoming the dignitaries, delegates, scientists, and farmers, Dr Sanjay Chetia expressed his gratitude to ICAR-DMR, Solan for providing Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat, the opportunity to host the prestigious national workshop.
Presenting the annual achievements of ICAR-DMR and the AICRP-Mushroom Programme, Dr B.L. Attri highlighted significant research advancements and extension initiatives undertaken during the past year.
In his inaugural address, Dr Dipjyoti Rajkhowa appreciated the remarkable achievements of ICAR-DMR and the AICRP-Mushroom Programme, emphasizing the immense potential of mushroom cultivation as a sustainable livelihood option in the North-Eastern region. He stressed the need to address the challenge of the crop's short shelf-life through cluster-based production, market intelligence, and value addition to enhance profitability.
Addressing the gathering, Dr Niranjan Kalita thanked ICAR for selecting Assam Veterinary and Fishery University as the venue for the national workshop. He highlighted the role of mushrooms in combating malnutrition, particularly among vegetarian populations in the region, and advocated integrating mushroom cultivation with animal husbandry and poultry farming. He also emphasized the importance of developing climate-resilient mushroom varieties suited to the North-Eastern region.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Sudhakar Pandey lauded the achievements of ICAR-DMR and the AICRP-Mushroom Programme, while underscoring the importance of generating comprehensive scientific data to support evidence-based policymaking. He emphasized the promotion of region-specific technologies, diversification of mushroom cultivation based on local environmental conditions and available raw materials, and accelerated breeding efforts for developing high-temperature-tolerant varieties. He also called for strengthening spawn production across the North-Eastern centres and establishing a robust spawn certification mechanism to ensure the availability of quality spawn for mushroom growers.
Highlighting the unique challenges of mushroom cultivation in the region, Dr. Pandey encouraged AICRP-Mushroom Centres in the North-East to promote specialty mushrooms, considering the limited availability of wheat straw required for button mushroom cultivation. He further emphasized the need to develop and popularize value-added mushroom products to improve farmers' income and livelihood opportunities, particularly for resource-poor households.
Dr. Nripen Chander, Director, Horticulture and Food Processing, Assam, highlighted the need to strengthen spawn availability across the region and outlined various State Government initiatives aimed at promoting mushroom cultivation and spawn production. He stressed the importance of extending the shelf-life of mushrooms through value addition and called for intensified research on disease and pest management, as well as improved cultivation technologies. He also informed the participants that the State Government is providing financial assistance of ₹20 lakh to public sector undertakings and ₹10 lakh for establishing spawn laboratories.
During the workshop, outstanding contributions under the AICRP-Mushroom Programme for 2025–26 were recognized. The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Centre received the Best Centre Award in Research, Dr Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University, Pusa, Samastipur, was honoured as the Best Centre for Extension Activities, while the Assam Agricultural University, Jorhat Centre, received the Best Centre Award in Extension for Maximum Beneficiary Coverage.
(Source: ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan)
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