A Hands-on Training Program on Dhingri (Oyster) Mushroom Cultivation

A hands-on training programme on Dhingri (Oyster) mushroom cultivation was conducted on 14th May 2025 at the Crop Cafeteria, Shoolini University, Bajhol, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, under the initiative “Social Empowerment and Sustainability of Rural Population in the Western Himalayan Region.” The programme aimed to empower rural women by equipping them with practical skills in Dhingri mushroom cultivation to support sustainable income generation, improved household nutrition, and entrepreneurship development. Organized for women members of the Self-Help Group “Pragati” at the M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Shoolini University, the training emphasized experiential learning through hands-on demonstrations covering various stages of mushroom cultivation. Participants gained practical exposure to low-cost and sustainable production techniques, enabling them to adopt mushroom cultivation as a viable agri-enterprise. As a result, the rural women were strengthened with essential cultivation skills, encouraged toward self-reliance, and motivated to explore entrepreneurial opportunities, thereby contributing to sustainable livelihoods and nutritional security in the Western Himalayan region.