Thursday 24 Sept. 2026, Mushroom Cultivation Unit was inaugurated at Government Degree College (GDC) Ganderbal with the aim of providing students with practical exposure to commercial mushroom cultivation and promoting skill development and entrepreneurship among undergraduate students.
The unit was formally inaugurated by the Principal, Government Degree College Ganderbal, Dr. Rafiq Ahmad, in the presence of faculty members and students of the Department of Agriculture Technology. The Mushroom Cultivation Unit has been established this year (2026) under the guidance of Dr. Sheikh Aafreen Rehman, Head, Department of Agriculture Technology, as an important component of the skill-based Commercial Mushroom Cultivation course offered at the college. The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between classroom teaching and practical learning by giving students hands-on experience in various aspects of mushroom production.
Speaking on the occasion, the principal appreciated the initiative and emphasized the importance of introducing skill-oriented and employment-generating courses in higher education. He highlighted that such practical initiatives can help students acquire skills that may support self-employment and entrepreneurship after graduation.
The unit will serve as a practical learning facility where students will be exposed to different stages of mushroom cultivation. As part of the Commercial Mushroom Cultivation course, students learn about mushroom biology and identification, selection and preparation of substrate, composting, spawn and spawning, spawn running, casing, maintenance of growing conditions, harvesting, post-harvest handling, packaging, value addition and marketing.
The practical component of the course is designed to enable students to understand mushroom cultivation from the initial stage to the final marketing of the produce. Through hands-on training, students are being encouraged to develop the confidence and technical skills required to explore mushroom cultivation as a potential entrepreneurial venture.
Dr. Sheikh Aafreen Rehman, Head, Department of Agriculture Technology, stated that the establishment of the unit provides students with an opportunity to translate their theoretical knowledge into practical skills. She emphasized that the objective is not merely to teach mushroom cultivation as an academic subject, but also to equip students with knowledge that can help them explore small-scale commercial production and entrepreneurship.
The unit will also facilitate demonstrations and practical exercises for students and provide a platform for experiential learning. Students will gain first-hand experience in managing mushroom production and understanding the challenges involved in maintaining a successful cultivation unit.
Senior faculty members present on the occasion appreciated the initiative and expressed hope that the facility would further strengthen skill-based education at the college. Students of Agriculture Technology also participated in the inauguration and showed keen interest in the practical aspects of mushroom cultivation.
The establishment of the Mushroom Cultivation Unit marks another step towards strengthening experiential, skill-based and entrepreneurship-oriented education at GDC Ganderbal. The initiative is expected to provide students with practical competencies that can be utilized for further studies, employment opportunities and the establishment of their own mushroom-based ventures.
DC Ganderbal, J&K @topfans Ehsaan Yousf @Degree College Ganderbal
