The P.N. Bali Mushroom Cultivation Centre, established under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), was inaugurated at Hansraj College on May 4, 2023. Conceived as a platform for promoting sustainable agriculture, skill development, student engagement, and community empowerment, the Centre has flourished under the visionary leadership of Prof. Rama, Principal of Hansraj College. It has evolved into a vibrant hub of experiential learning, scientific innovation, and entrepreneurial development.

The Centre is dedicated to enhancing employability, fostering economic self-reliance, and strengthening practical competencies among students. It provides hands-on training in the organic cultivation of button and oyster mushrooms, complemented by specialized workshops and training programmes for both students and faculty members on advanced mushroom production techniques. Through its interdisciplinary and application-oriented approach, the Centre encourages sustainable agricultural practices while nurturing scientific temper and research aptitude.

This initiative significantly contributed to skill enhancement, experiential learning, research exposure, and the promotion of environmentally sustainable agricultural practices, thereby empowering students with valuable competencies for future academic and professional pursuits.

• To promote sustainable and eco-friendly mushroom cultivation practices through experiential learning and skill-based training.
• To empower students with entrepreneurial and employability skills by providing hands-on training in mushroom production and value-added technologies.
• To foster scientific temper, innovation, and research aptitude in the field of mushroom cultivation and sustainable agriculture.
• To contribute to community development and economic empowerment through outreach programmes, capacity building, and knowledge dissemination Coordinator

Dr. Arti Mishra, Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Hansraj College