Impact of skill development training on mushroom cultivation on knowledge gain of rural women SHG

Mushroom is considered to be nutritious food, rich in protein, low in fat and carbohydrates. Mushroom cultivation is simple, low cost and plays a significant role to alleviate poverty and generate employment opportunity for educated unemployed youth in rural areas. The present study was undertaken to assess the impact of training on knowledge gain about mushroom production as an enterprise. One hundred and eighty seven trainees were imparted training on mushroom cultivation by conducting a series of vocational training programmes at KVK Shopian. The training programmes were evaluated by finding out the knowledge gain by the participants and suggestions given by trainees so that improvement in future training may be done. The knowledge level of farm women improved by attending these training programmes. It was observed that 90.6% gained knowledge about identification of edible mushrooms, 88.6% gained knowledge about materials and techniques used for cultivation of different types of mushrooms and 85.7 gained knowledge about medicinal and nutritive value of mushrooms. The trainees suggested that more emphasis should be given on practical classes, supplying of quality spawn on time by KVK and wide publicity of mushroom nutritional benefits of mushroom consumption. It was also observed that the credit linkages and market support if created locally will encourage other rural women to adopt mushroom cultivation as a business.