Youth develops devices to boost mushroom yield
Source: Chronicle News Service / Ngangom Suraj
Imphal, January 28 2024:
In what could be acknowledged as a remarkable feat of ingenuity, one Ling-kan, a graduate in Chemistry, has emerged as a pioneer in agricultural technology with the development of two ground-breaking devices which he named Misting Assisted Still Air Chamber (MASAC) and Remotely Accessible Temperature and Humidity Controller (RATHC).
These innovations are poised to revolutionise mushroom farming in Manipur, offering cost-effective solutions using locally available resources.
Konsam Lingkan Kumar (27), son of Konsam Ratan Kumar and Bijiya Devi of Khurai Konsam Leikai, Heigrumakhong in Imphal East district, graduated from Liberal College, Luwangsangbam in 2016 .
He developed the devices after undergoing a skill development course under New Delhi-based Syngenta Foundation after being selected by Maolkeki Foundation, Imphal an institute providing opportunity in Agri-Entrepreneurship programmes.
Apart from developing the two devices he has established his own company under the name Manigreen Agitech and aims to produce tissue cultured hybrid crops which are disease resistant and can produce higher yields.
In an exclusive interview with Lingkan, he explained that MASAC is not only cost-effective but also a game-changer in comparison with conventional devices used in mushroom spawn production such as the Laminar Flow machine.
The price of these conventional devices ranges anywhere from Rs 30,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
MASAC, on the other hand, is priced at less than Rs 12,000, making it accessible to a broader range of farmers.
What sets MASAC apart from other devices is not just its affordability but sustainable design, he said, while explaining that it could be operated without electricity with use of locally available raw materials.
On the other hand, his Remotely Accessible Temperature and Humidity Controller (RATHC) takes mushroom farming to new heights of efficiency and hygiene as the device based on remote accessibility via a mobile phone, empowers farmers to manage temperature and humidity automatically, even from miles away.
The implications are profound, as it not only increase production rates but also enhance the survival rates of mushroom spawns or seeds, Lingkan added.
Recalling that he has always been interested in the field of agriculture and allied subjects and inventing technologies which can benefit the sector, he confided plans to include the utilisation of easily available and cost-effective raw materials, steering away from the conventional use of wheat or rice as raw materials for mushroom spawn production, which tend to be more expensive.
This strategic shift aims to bolster farmers' profits and contribute to the overall economic growth of Manipur, he added.
Expressing firm belief that rather than settling for a common job becoming an entrepreneur aligns with his commitment to creating job opportunities for many, Lingkan said that talents are bestowed for a reason and wasting them is not an option.
He also envisions a transformative future where the youth actively engage in farming through adoption of new techniques and technologies.
He hoped that this approach will not only make the state self-reliant out also contribute significantly to its economic growth.
He appealed to all the young generations who have pursued agriculture and allied subjects as careers to step forward and apply all that they have learnt in the real world rather than chasing for common jobs.
Lingkan's journey from a young innovator with a passion for farming to the founder of Manigreen Agritech is a testament of the power of ingenuity in addressing agricultural challenges.
His recently developed devices hold the potential to redefine mushroom farming in Manipur and serve as a beacon for aspiring entrepreneurs committed to advancing sustainable agriculture.
(The report has been filed under the 4th Award in Scientific Journalism Programme on the topic "Successful Entrepreneurship & Students Agriculture and allied sector, organised by Public Relation & Media Management Cell, Central Agricultural University, Hq., Lamphelpat, Imphal) .
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