The Mushroom Growers' Association of India has requested the Kerala state government officially recognise mushroom cultivation as a farm crop and carry out promotional work on behalf of Indian mushrooms.
The association claims that the current status of mushrooms leads many growers to miss out on the benefits agricultural producers are ordinarily entitled to.
Speaking at its annual meeting, association national president Ratan Takur said that although the state government had recognised mushroom as a farm crop around 10 years ago, many departments, institutes and banks were unaware of it.
"This poses difficulties for mushroom growers, especially small-scale growers, in availing of many benefits, including farm loans. If the State government issues an order in this regard, it will be a major boost to the mushroom farming sector. It will also be an encouragement for unemployed youth to take up mushroom farming as a livelihood,” the statement said.
The statement pointed out that the state's mushroom producers were amongst the most productive in the country and there has been much research and support provided to the mushroom industry by the Kerala Agricultural University.
Source: www.thehindu.com
