Kannur: As a measure to expand mushroom cultivation and to create more opportunities for farmers and entrepreneurs, ten mushroom villages would be started in the district. Each district will have 100 mushroom cultivation units. The district will have a total of 1,000 small units. As many as 20 large units will also be opened in Kannur. 

Farmers will receive financial help through Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana for the same. The project will also help spread value-added products like mushroom powder and chips. 

The horticulture mission has decided to start 100 mushroom villages across the state. Apart from the mushroom cultivation unit, the villages will have seed production units, storage facilities, value-added product manufacturing units, packing units and waste treatment systems.

The small cultivation units will get a subsidy of Rs 11,250. The subsidy is up to 40 per cent of the project cost. 

Large units and seed production units with a project cost of up to Rs 5 lakh would get a subsidy of up to Rs 2 lakh.

The subsidy for storage facilities and value-added product manufacturing units would be half of the project cost. According to this, the value-added product manufacturing units would get up to Rs 1 lakh and storage centres would receive up to Rs 2 lakh.  Entrepreneurs would be given training as part of the project. 

Deputy director of agriculture EK Ajimol said that farmers or associations interested in starting a venture can contact Krishi Bhavans.