Profile characteristics and entrepreneurial attributes of trainees of National Training Programme on mushroom cultivation

Abstract

There is an increasing need of training on mushroom cultivation technology to the farmers and entrepreneurs. The training on mushroom cultivation technology for entrepreneurs is a flagship programme of Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan aiming to facilitate imparting comprehensive knowledge of mushroom production among trainees. The 10 day training programme on mushroom cultivation technology for entrepreneurs attracts willing entrepreneurs across the country for getting the training on mushroom cultivation. Analysis of profile characteristics and entrepreneurial attributes of trainees is key to assess the subsequent adoption of mushroom cultivation, marketing and processing activities by the trainees. Majority of participants were male, middle aged youth, well educated and mostly representing medium sized families. Trainees represented different parts of India and few from abroad. More than half of trainees were interested to learn the cultivation technology of different edible and medicinal mushrooms, where as little less than half were willing to learn only about white button mushroom cultivation aspects. Most trainees were having prior experience of entrepreneurship either in agriculture or horticulture activities. The mushroom entrepreneurial ability measured during 2012 indicated that, majority of trainees assessed themselves with medium level ability and very few with low level mushroom entrepreneurial ability.