Department of Botany, GDC Zanskar, Conducts Two-Day Mushroom Cultivation Training Programme in Collaboration with HVT Foundation.

Department of Botany, GDC Zanskar, Conducts Two-Day Mushroom Cultivation Training Programme in Collaboration with HVT Foundation.
Zanskar, August 18, 2026
The Department of Botany, Government Degree College (GDC), Zanskar, in collaboration with the HVT Foundation, organised a two-day training programme on Mushroom Cultivation on August 17 and 18, 2026. The programme was conducted under the guidance and supervision of the worthy Principal, Dr. Amjad Ali Abassi.
The programme commenced at 11:30 AM on the first day in the Seminar Hall of Government Model Degree College, Zanskar. The programme was moderated by Dr. Sabir Hussain, Assistant Professor of Botany, and coordinated by Dr. Abdul Hadi, Assistant Professor of Botany. The distinguished guests, Major Anshu Saxena (Community Head, HVT Foundation) and Mr. Vijay (Mushroom Cultivation Expert, HVT Foundation), joined the programme online, while Mr. Lobzang Rinchen, Principal, SECPAD School, was welcomed and felicitated with traditional khataks.
The programme formally began with a welcome address by Dr. Kousar Fatima, Assistant Professor of History, who welcomed the guests, expert trainers, faculty members and participants.
This was followed by a briefing by Major Anshu Saxena, who highlighted the objectives of the training programme and the potential of mushroom cultivation as a livelihood and entrepreneurship opportunity. A virtual technical session was subsequently conducted by Mr. Vijay, Mushroom Trainer, who provided a detailed demonstration of the complete mushroom cultivation process, explaining its various stages and offering technical guidance to the participants.
The programme was concluded with a formal vote of thanks by Dr. Abdul Hadi, Assistant Professor of Botany, who expressed sincere gratitude to the worthy Principal, Dr. Amjad Ali Abassi, the HVT Foundation and its team of experts, Mr. Lobzang Rinchen and the students of SECPAD Model School, faculty members, and all the participants for their valuable support, active participation, and contribution towards the successful conduct of the two-day training programme.
The virtual demonstration was followed by an extensive hands-on practical training session, which constituted the major practical component of the first day. The session was conducted by Mr. Lobzang Rinchen, Principal, SECPAD School, along with two students from SECPAD Model School. Participants received practical exposure to various stages of mushroom cultivation, including the collection and preparation of barley straw, proper handling and treatment of the substrate, maintenance of hygienic conditions, contamination control, and subsequent stages of cultivation.
The participants actively engaged in the practical activities and gained firsthand experience of the cultivation process. Dr. Abdul Hadi and Dr. Sabir Hussain also actively conducted and supervised the hands-on training and provided technical guidance to the participants. A substantial portion of the practical training was completed on the first day, providing participants with significant practical exposure to mushroom cultivation.
The second day of the programme continued with hands-on training, with practical activities commencing at 10:30 AM. Dr. Abdul Hadi continued to provide hands-on training and technical guidance to the participants and students, along with the practical trainers. The activities of the second day served to reinforce and consolidate the practical knowledge and skills acquired during the extensive hands-on session on the first day.
The programme concluded with an emphasis on skill development, experiential learning, self-employment and sustainable livelihood opportunities through mushroom cultivation, particularly in the local context of Zanskar.
At the concluding session, the organisers expressed their gratitude to the worthy Principal, Dr. Amjad Ali Abassi, GDC Zanskar, the team of experts from the HVT Foundation; SECPAD Model School; expert trainers; faculty members; and participants for their valuable contributions towards the successful completion of the training programme.