Transfer of Mushroom Farming Technology as one of the Livelihoods Generating Activity Identified in Rural Haryana

Though the production of edible mushroom has been increased by several folds in the state of Haryana during the last three decade, it is yet to attend prime position in the national scenario either in production or in number of farms. However, huge publicity through media and efforts made by Govt., Non Govt. organizations, Univ., Dept. of Horticulture and Haryana Agro's have created much interest among the farmers to a significant extent in the mushroom farming technology and its acceptance as a means of livelihood generation. Training is considered as a potent tool to equip a person enabling one to deliver the goods in a better way. Krishi Vigyan Kendra's established in Ambala district are playing a significant role in economic empowerment particularly of small farmers and landless laborers by organizing skill oriented training and establishment of small enterprises which in turn would improve the quality of life of rural families. Among them mushroom farming has been indentified as a ideal profitable enterprise since per unit productivity of mushroom is several folds high than any other crop. Besides generating income, it also supplements the daily diet which is generally protein deficient in rural areas, among the various factors influencing mushroom production. The climate factors also play a significant role in economic farming. The other factors besides availability of technical know now, regular contact with the farmers as well as socio-economic status of the farmers have been found to have positive influence on acceptance of the new technology. The study also aimed at analyzing the constraints, problems, remedies and influence of other factors in adopting the technology by the farmers.