Impact of mushroom production training on socio-economic development of marginalized farmers in Haryana

This study examines the socio-economic impact of mushroom production training on marginalized farmers in Haryana, focusing on Kurukshetra and Kaithal districts. It evaluates the effectiveness of training programs conducted by KVKs under Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, in enhancing participants' income, employment, knowledge, and adoption of mushroom production technology. A total of 160 respondents, including 80 training participants and 80 non-participants, were surveyed using a structured interview schedule. The study assessed impact using five key indicators: knowledge, adoption, income, employment, and socio-economic empowerment. The results show a significant positive impact, with 60 percent of participants reporting an income increase exceeding ?100,000 per season, compared to 20 percent of non-participants. Mushroom production contributed over 50 percent to household income for 52.5 percent of participants, while 65 percent of non-participants reported no contribution. Additionally, 57.5 percent of participant families employed two members in mushroom production, compared to 22.5 percent of non-participants. Knowledge levels were significantly higher among participants, demonstrating the training’s effectiveness. The study concludes that mushroom production training can be transformative for socio-economic development among marginalized farmers. However, challenges such as high input costs hinder full adoption, necessitating continued support. It emphasizes the role of structured vocational training in improving livelihoods and promoting sustainable agriculture.