SDM Durbuk reviews Mushroom cultivation, inaugurates first Organic Harvest at Yurgoo

LEH: The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Durbuk, Mohd. Ismail, on Friday inaugurated the first harvest of organically cultivated oyster mushrooms at Yurgoo village, describing the initiative as an encouraging step towards promoting sustainable agriculture and diversified farming practices in the sub-division.

The inauguration followed the SDM’s visit to the greenhouse of beneficiary Smt. Konchok Dolker, where he reviewed the pioneer mushroom cultivation project being undertaken with technical support from the Department of Agriculture.

During the visit, Agriculture Extension Officer (AEO), Durbuk Zone, Ms. Chimet Lhamo, briefed the SDM on the complete production cycle of oyster mushrooms, covering substrate preparation, bag filling, spawning, crop management and harvesting. She informed him that the beneficiary had undergone specialised training in organic mushroom cultivation conducted by the Department of Agriculture and that the crop is generally ready for its first harvest within about 25 days under proper management.

The SDM also inspected vegetable cultivation inside the Domestic Ladakh Greenhouse established under the department’s programme. The AEO demonstrated the application of mulching sheets and explained their role in conserving soil moisture, suppressing weeds and improving crop productivity.

Officials informed the SDM that the beneficiary is cultivating a range of vegetables through organic farming methods, including spinach, saag khanayari, Chinese cabbage, pak choi, tomato, coriander, cabbage, cauliflower and muskmelon, reflecting efforts to diversify farm production under protected cultivation.

Interacting with the visiting officials, Konchok Dolker shared her experience of adopting organic farming practices and highlighted the use of natural methods to improve crop production while ensuring environmentally sustainable cultivation.

Inaugurating the first mushroom harvest, Mohd. Ismail appreciated the beneficiary’s initiative and commended the Department of Agriculture for promoting innovative and climate-resilient farming practices. He said such interventions have the potential to strengthen livelihood opportunities while encouraging wider adoption of sustainable agriculture among farmers in the Durbuk Sub-Division.