ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil and Water Conservation (IISWC), Research Centre, Udhagamandalam organized Training cum Farmers-Scientists interaction meeting on “Mushroom farming for livelihood enhancement and climate smart technologies of SWC for rainfed farming” on 11.01.2025 at Bendarawadi village, Gundlupet taluk, Chamarajanagar district, Karnataka under Scheduled Caste Sub Plan (SCSP). Chief Guest of the programme Dr. M. Madhu, Director, ICAR-IISWC, Dehradun graced the occasion and briefed about the importance of soil and water resource conservation in dryland farming. He also reiterated about creating awareness about the advanced technologies, organized marketing channels through FPO, SHG and user groups needs to be promoted.

He emphasized value addition of the produce for increased income. To avail the benefits of different schemes of state and central government, he advised the farmers to have proper liasioning and continuous contact with the concerned department officials. He along with other guests inaugurated the Mushroom unit and distributed battery sprayers, coconut and butter-fruit seedlings, hosepipes and crowbars for the SC beneficiary farmers. For creating awareness, various SWC technology brochures of IISWC, RC, Ooty were distributed to the farmers. Shri. Nanjappa, Ex-member, CADA- Command Area Development Authority, Government of Karnataka attended the programme and addressed the farmers to make best use of the advanced SWC technologies and benefits of SCSP programme to improve their livelihood. Shri. Nanjunda Prasad, Director, Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) appraised the efforts of ICAR-IISWC in reaching out the farmers of weaker sections, especially SC farmers under SCSP programme.

Dr. Somasundaram Jayaraman, Head, ICAR-IISWC, Research Centre, Ooty told about the centre’s activities and urged the farmers make best use of the technologies for efficient resource use and need to adopt appropriate soil and water conservation measures. Dr. P. Sundarambal, Principal Scientist, briefed about the wide adoption of technologies pertaining to rainfed area. Dr. H. C. Hombegowda, Senior Scientist briefed about the SCSP programme and role of agro-forestry in dryland farming. Dr. S. M. Vanitha, Senior Scientist explained regarding the mushroom cultivation and its nutritional and economic benefits. Er. VA Blessy, Scientist, Mr. Murugesan, Technical officer, Mr. Sangili, Technician, Mr. Doddaraju, Mr. Prakash and Mr. Narayana, village leaders were also present during the programme.

Overall around 250 farmers participated in the programme and interacted with the scientists. An exhibition of technologies pertaining to soil and water conservation was also arranged for the farmers. The programme was coordinated by Dr. HC Hombegowda and Dr SM Vanitha, Senior Scientists under the guidance of Dr Somasundaram Jayaraman, Head of the Centre, ICAR-IISWC, RC, Udhagamandalam.