Awareness Program on "Nanotechnological Interventions for Improving Quality, Safety and Productivity of Mushrooms in Meghalaya" Organized

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Date: Mar 19, 2025

Shillong, Meghalaya, India – On March 19, 2025, the Department of Nanotechnology at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, successfully organized an Awareness Program on Nanotechnological Interventions for Improving Quality, Safety, and Productivity of Mushrooms in Meghalaya. The event, which took place at the Seminar Hall of the Department of Nanotechnology, was sponsored by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), New Delhi under SSR activity.

The event was aimed at educating mushroom cultivators, sellers, and researchers about the transformative potential of nanotechnology in addressing the challenges faced by the mushroom farming sector in Meghalaya, particularly regarding the shelf life and productivity of mushrooms. The program also explored how these innovations could boost income for local farmers and improve the quality of mushrooms grown in the Meghalaya regions.

The program was graced by several prominent guests, including Prof. Md. Iftekhar Hussain, Dean of the School of Technology (SOT), NEHU, as the Chief Guest. Prof. Hussain spoke about the importance of bridging the gap between academic research and community-oriented solutions, urging that scientific innovations should be extended to benefit society. He highlighted ongoing efforts by various departments at NEHU to connect research outcomes to real-world applications. Dr. Rajesh Bajpai, Guest of Honour from the Department of Environmental Science, emphasized the nutritional and medicinal values of specific mushroom species. He underscored the potential health benefits and utilizations of poisonous and non-poisonous mushrooms and discussed how such innovations could empower local communities in the future, particularly in terms of societal health and economic growth. The event was led by Dr. Shruti Shukla, Principal Investigator of the SERB-funded project, who welcomed the guests and participants. Dr. Shukla elaborated on the program’s importance in utilizing nano-technological interventions to enhance the shelf life and productivity of mushrooms. She shared her vision for helping Meghalaya farmers to increase their income by cultivating a variety of mushrooms and developing value-added products through advanced research in nanotechnology.

The event also saw a diverse range of participants, including mushroom cultivators, sellers, students (bachelors and masters) and research scholars, as well as faculty members from different departments. The attendees gained valuable insights into the potential of nanotechnology to address the challenges faced by mushroom farmers in the region. Dr. L.R. Singh, Head of the Department of Nanotechnology, concluded the formal sessions by delivering the vote of thanks. Dr. Singh acknowledged the contributions of the distinguished guests, participants, and faculty members, and highlighted the department's ongoing research activities aimed at fostering innovation and advancing nanotechnology applications.

Technical Session Highlights:

During the technical session, Kong Sanihun Nongrum, a mushroom cultivator, discussed the challenges faced by mushroom farmers in Meghalaya, particularly the very short shelf life of mushrooms, which significantly impacts marketability. The session provided valuable feedback on the difficulties faced by farmers in ensuring the long-term freshness and quality of their produce. The technical session continued with informative lectures, including a comprehensive overview of the current state of the mushroom market in Meghalaya. Dr. Shruti Shukla then delivered a lecture on the nanotechnological solutions developed to enhance the safety and shelf life of mushrooms, providing practical insights into how these innovations can revolutionize mushroom cultivation and storage. The program concluded with heartfelt thanks giving words by Dr. Shruti Shukla, who expressed her gratitude to all the guests, participants, mushroom cultivators, sellers, students, and faculty members for their support in making the event a resounding success.

This awareness program was a crucial step in fostering collaboration between academia and the local farming community, demonstrating how nanotechnology can contribute to sustainable agricultural practices and improve livelihoods in Meghalaya.