SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 29: Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) has launched a mushroom cultivation project in its Jharia collieries to improve the lives of the villagers in the mining operating locations.
TSF in collaboration with the district horticulture department, Dhanbad, has organised a five-day mushroom cultivation training programme in five different villages of Jamadoba and Sijua group (Kanchanpur, Petia, Dolabar, Kumarjhuri, and Bhelatand). A total of 194 women will be trained (45 from Kanchanpur, 35 from Bhelatand, 53 from Petia, 35 from Dardaha, and 26 from Kumarjori) in this programme.
In the presence of Surendra Kumar Ram, district horticulture officer, Dhanbad and other senior officials of the department, 80 women farmers from Kanchanpur and Bhelatand have already completed their five-day training programme and were given certificates by the district horticulture department official.
“To provide farmers with sustainable means of subsistence, Tata Steel Foundation (TSF), Jamadoba has undertaken several initiatives in their operating locations in the areas of education, healthcare, sustainable livelihood opportunities, community empowerment through agricultural development, market linkages and youth skill development,” said the officer.
He said that considering the pattern of vegetation in the area, TSF has integrated mushroom cultivation into its pilot project with small farmers and individuals residing near Jamadoba to improve their quality of life.
“Mushrooms can be consumed and sold at the household level. It can be cultivated in a plastic bag which requires less space and is a good source of livelihood for small farmers with less investment,” said the TSF officer.
