HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Nov 25: A buyers-sellers meet for mushroom was organised at Bodoland University under the mentorship of Prof Sandeep Das, Head of Biotechnology and Principal Investigator of the Technology Incubation Centre, to strengthen Indo-Bhutan agricultural cooperation. The event, held at the DBT-Govt. of India Technology Incubation Centre and DBT-GoI Kisan Hub, saw active participation from Bhutanese government officials, progressive farmers from Kokrajhar and stakeholders involved in mushroom production and trade.
Representatives from Bhutan included Kinley Namgay District Agriculture Officer, Sarpang, Galey Tenzin from the UN World Food Programme’s BRECSA project and Tshering Wangdi Chairman of the Gelephu Mushroom Multi-Stakeholder Group. The meeting focused on the sustainability and potential export of organic mushrooms to Bhutan, where demand is growing, particularly in the context of Gelephu’s development as Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) and an increasing vegetarian population.
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The Bhutanese delegation also explored various agricultural and eco-friendly technologies, including upstream tissue culture, spawn development, waste management, circular economy techniques, mushroom value-added products, hydroponics, aquaponics, bio-floc fish culture, ornamental aquaculture, fog harvesting, pearl cultivation, biogas plants, vermicomposting and bamboo craft training. They expressed interest in signing a MoU with Bodoland University to facilitate knowledge transfer and training for farmers.
Prof B L Ahuja, Vice Chancellor of Bodoland University, emphasised the university’s role in empowering rural youth and farmers through eco-friendly technology, contributing to the regional rural economy. Farmers from Kokrajhar expressed their willingness to export organic mushrooms in bulk, ensuring quality and organic certification through cultivation processes developed by the university. The Bhutanese team also visited nearby mushroom production centres supported by Bodoland University. The meet provided a platform for detailed discussions on trade volumes, bilateral cooperation and sustainable development, strengthening Indo-Bhutan friendship and cross-border agricultural collaboration.
