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Punjab seeks to replicate Dutch model to step up mushroom exports

The Punjab government has given green signal to Punjab Agri and Export Corporation and Agro Dutch Foods Limited to set up an export-oriented Mushroom Industrial Park in the state which would fetch foreign exchange to the tune of Rs 600 million.

At a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal in Chandigarh on Thursday, it was decided to start a ''Punjab Mushroom School on the Dutch pattern for providing training and skills of mushroom farming.

This school would impart a six-month training with 50 students in each batch at a stipend of Rs 1,000 with boarding and lodging provided by the Agro Dutch Food Limited.

Initially, 200 farmers would be trained as entrepreneurs under this scheme with a target production of 12,000 metric tonnes.

Punjab provides sufficient scope for mushroom production as wheat straw and chicken manure was abundantly available in the state with an environment suitable for mushroom production.

Punjab at present exports mushrooms worth Rs 450 million, out of the national total of Rs 750 million.

The product has markets in the USA and European countries and the Punjab project could be replicated in other parts of the country giving a further boost to the exports.

Badal stressed the need for giving profitable price to the farmers so that their interest could be fully protected. He asked the officials concerned to promote the project in different areas of the state so that farmers could supplement their income by undertaking mushroom production. He also urged them to ensure proper marketing of the produce.

UNI

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