Popularization of low-cost mushroom technology for Changthang region of cold desert

Mushroom is rich source of protein, carbohydrate, vitamins and good for health which can play important role in mitigating the malnutrition amongst resources poor people especially remote areas. In Changthang region of Ladakh availability of fresh vegetable limited, thus cultivating mushroom in such harsh climate is big challenge. To fulfil the requirement of local people of Changthang KVK, Nyoma located at +14000 ft took initiative to design and assessed low-cost mushroom technology 14X3X8 ft size black plastic unit was made inside (already exist) local mud type greenhouse 32X 18 ft size for mushroom cultivation and utilized temperature and humidity of green house. In every single shift 15 mushroom bags can be installed and harvested 4 times @ 120 -128g bag and sold @320/-kg. The cost of cultivation including inputs and unit was only Rs 2000/- and got net return of 3760/- in 4 months with B.C Ratio 1.28, mushroom can grow in entire season if temperature of greenhouse remains optimum and increase net profit. Hence, this low-cost technology is not only a source of income generation for remote nomadic farmers of Changthang but also became a supplement for nutritional security and their socio-economic upliftment.