Srinagar, Mar 10: The Department of Agriculture Kashmir today distributed Pasteurised Compost Bags (PCBs) among the mushroom growers and entrepreneurs of district Srinagar and Budgam at the Integrated Mushroom Development Centre (IMDC) Lalmandi, here.

On the occasion, the Director Agriculture Kashmir, Chowdhary Mohammad Iqbal said that the Department is “working on a model aimed at generating additional income to the growers for which the Mushroom Sector is all set to increase productivity and enhance employment avenues.”

He said that IMDC Lalmandi was providing 2400 pasteurized compost bags and other inputs in the first phase and that the department was committed to giving all sorts of technical guidance to the interested mushroom growers and entrepreneurs for setting up new mushroom units.

The Director said that Mushroom was an economically viable cottage industry, and so the Department was giving thrust for its sustainability and exploring avenues for market linkage.

Mushroom Specialist Zaffar Ahmad Hakeem, Spawn Production Officer Amarjeet Singh, Mushroom Research Officer Farzana Tabasum and other concerned officers were present on the occasion.

Earlier, the Director paid a surprise visit to District Shopian and held interaction with delegations of pesticide and fertilizer dealers.

Later, he took a review of the working of the district with the officers and officials.