A four-day hands on training was conducted by Dr. Uzma Sitara, SSO, FQSRI, PARC-SARC, as Resource Person at Shikarpur Sindh organized by HIDAYA Trust from December 24 to 27, 2024. The aim of the training was to spread awareness and to train the progressive farmers, members of NGOs and school teachers about spawn production and cultivation of Oyster and Reishi mushroom to start mushroom farming in rural/less developed areas of Shikarpur and Jacobabad districts of Sindh. First two days were specified for 150 female participants while during last two days 160 male trainees attended the training.

The trainees actively participated in all activities, including substrate preparations (utilizing wheat straw and sawdust) with chemical and non-chemical treatments, tissue culture, autoclaving, inoculation, spawn preparation and growth room management. The sessions covered efficient packing and storage practices crucial for minimizing post-harvest losses and ensuring pest-free mushroom production.

During the discussion session, participants had the opportunity to inquire about mushroom production, marketing and were satisfactorily convinced. The participants affirmed their dedication to apply the knowledge they had gained, to contribute actively to the advancement of oyster and Reishi mushroom farming and committed to participate in upcoming training sessions in various locations of Sindh province. Certificates were distributed among all participants.