ITANAGAR, 25 Sep: About 25 BSc students of the forestry department of the NERIST participated in an awareness-cum-training programme on mushroom cultivation, organised by the North East Institute of Science and Technology's (NEIST) Itanagar branch on Friday.

Addressing the participants, NEIST in-charge Dr Chandan Tamuly presented a brief on the institute, its ongoing research and development activities, facilities for students, and social activities carried out by the institute.

Scientist-E Dr RK Rawal motivated the students, while technical assistant Priyanka Kakoti delivered a presentation on 'Scientific and commercial cultivation of mushroom and its prospective'.

Hands-on training in mushroom cultivation was provided to all the students. Further, training was provided on extraction of essential oil from aromatic plants, and production of vermicompost.

The students also visited the site of production of biofertiliser, and the processing unit of post-harvest management like drying, slicing and washing of crops like turmeric, ginger, chilli, etc.

Seedlings of medicinal plants were later distributed to all the participants.