Coimbatore: A national seminar on 'Mushroom - Rise of Research and Retreats for Humanity' sponsored by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi was inaugurated at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore on September 30.
Coimbatore: A national seminar on 'Mushroom - Rise of Research and Retreats for Humanity' sponsored by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi was inaugurated at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU), Coimbatore on September 30.
Dr. N Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU who delivered the presidential address highlighted that though 240 million tonnes of food grains have been achieved, nutritional security is still a struggle. "Mushroom cultivation is an economically smart biotechnology process for integrated agriculture residue management to boost the rural economy, uplift livelihood and address protein malnutrition, apart from reducing environmental pollution. This hi-tech horticulture venture where vertical space is utilized and the profit from mushroom crop per unit area, is far ahead of crop growing and animal rearing. TNAU is pioneering in mushroom research since 1983 through ICAR-AICRP on mushroom and have thus developed many mushroom varieties, cultivation technology of medicinal mushrooms and research on biomolecules. The seminar would provide a platform for motivating young minds to carry forward their research activities to keep pace with global standards," he opined.

Dr. A S Krishnamoorthy, Registrar, TNAU and UGC Coordinator emphasized that the UGC scheme 'Enterprising Mushroom Biotechnology for Food, Feed and Biomanure' was sanctioned from 2016 for five years. He stated that the mushroom business was expanding day-by-day across the world. "Mushroom is a million-dollar business which is less understood in India. This kind of science which encourages the public and the private partnership will contribute to doubling farmers' income through secondary agriculture by crop residue management," he added.

Dr. Samir Ranjan Sikdar, Professor, Bose Institute, Kolkata, Dr. T Raguchander, Dean, Centre for Students Welfare (CSW), TNAU, K Prabakar, Director, Centre for Plant Protection Studies (CPPS), TNAU offered their felicitations at the function. Earlier, Dr. M Muthamilan, Professor and Head, Dept. of Plant Pathology, TNAU welcomed the gathering and Dr. M Karhtikeyan, Asst. Professor (Plant Pathology), TNAU brought the event to a close with a formal vote of thanks.
Dr. N Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU who delivered the presidential address highlighted that though 240 million tonnes of food grains have been achieved, nutritional security is still a struggle. "Mushroom cultivation is an economically smart biotechnology process for integrated agriculture residue management to boost the rural economy, uplift livelihood and address protein malnutrition, apart from reducing environmental pollution. This hi-tech horticulture venture where vertical space is utilized and the profit from mushroom crop per unit area, is far ahead of crop growing and animal rearing. TNAU is pioneering in mushroom research since 1983 through ICAR-AICRP on mushroom and have thus developed many mushroom varieties, cultivation technology of medicinal mushrooms and research on biomolecules. The seminar would provide a platform for motivating young minds to carry forward their research activities to keep pace with global standards," he opined.

Dr. A S Krishnamoorthy, Registrar, TNAU and UGC Coordinator emphasized that the UGC scheme 'Enterprising Mushroom Biotechnology for Food, Feed and Biomanure' was sanctioned from 2016 for five years. He stated that the mushroom business was expanding day-by-day across the world. "Mushroom is a million-dollar business which is less understood in India. This kind of science which encourages the public and the private partnership will contribute to doubling farmers' income through secondary agriculture by crop residue management," he added.

Dr. Samir Ranjan Sikdar, Professor, Bose Institute, Kolkata, Dr. T Raguchander, Dean, Centre for Students Welfare (CSW), TNAU, K Prabakar, Director, Centre for Plant Protection Studies (CPPS), TNAU offered their felicitations at the function. Earlier, Dr. M Muthamilan, Professor and Head, Dept. of Plant Pathology, TNAU welcomed the gathering and Dr. M Karhtikeyan, Asst. Professor (Plant Pathology), TNAU brought the event to a close with a formal vote of thanks.