Women’s Studies Centre and the Department of Education, Nagaland University (NU) Kohima Campus, organised a one-day basic training on shiitake mushroom cultivation on September 2 in collaboration with Konger Agritech Nagaland, to equip and enhance practical skills and employability through hands-on training and interactive sessions.
The training was part of the university’s ongoing skills development initiative for integrating practical and sustainable skills into higher education.
Prof. Jano S Liegise, Dean of the School of Humanities and Education, who was the special guest of the session emphasised the importance of creating opportunities and diversifying careers by stepping out of the comfort zone and actively learning essential skills that increase employability and contribute to overall personal fulfilment and societal progress at large.
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The founder director of Konger Agritech, Dr. Sosang Longkumer, delivered insightful information on mushroom cultivation and its benefits, as well as its potential for both marketing and home-based ventures.
Longkumer outlined different types of mushrooms, focusing on the most common varieties such as oyster, shiitake and button mushrooms along with their medicinal and nutritional benefits. A detailed step-by-step process of cultivating mushrooms was also highlighted. Longkumer also stressed the importance of maintaining an ideal environment, including temperature, sunlight and hygiene, for flourishing mushroom growth. Economic advantages and practical business ideas of mushroom farming were also suggested to encourage the aspiring scholars and faculty members.
The speaker concluded his session with an interaction addressing various challenges and doubts about mushroom cultivation. The programme was attended by research scholars, faculty members and non-teaching staff from various departments in Kohima Campus.
The inaugural session was chaired by research scholar, Sharon Kikon, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Khotole Khieya, director Women’s Studies Centre. The session ended with a vote of thanks by research scholar Poukenhalakliu Newmai.
Meanwhile, the practical session was also led by Dr. Sosang Longkumer, who demonstrated the practical steps of cultivating shiitake mushrooms. During the session, he described the kinds of logs that can be used for shiitake mushrooms, the importance of drilling holes into logs, inoculation of mushroom spawns, the incubation period, colonisation and fruiting.
