NILAI, 11 July 2026 - The expertise of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) staff continues to be leveraged in efforts to empower local communities, as Mr. Nik Muhamad Adnan Mohd Nor from the Institute of Plantation Studies (IKP), UPM, was invited as a guest speaker for the Split Gill Mushroom Cultivation Course organised by the University Community Transformation Centre (UCTC), UPM, in collaboration with the Jijan Village Community Centre (PKD Jijan) at the ICT Room, PKD Jijan, Negeri Sembilan. The programme, which involved registered members of PKD Jijan, aimed to introduce the local community to the potential of cultivating split gill mushrooms (Schizophyllum commune), locally known as cendawan sisir or cendawan kukur, as a high-value agricultural venture. The initiative is expected to generate additional household income and create new entrepreneurial opportunities for community members. During the training session, Mr. Nik Muhamad Adnan shared his knowledge and experience on split gill mushroom cultivation techniques, covering the preparation of growing media, environmental management, crop maintenance, and post-harvest handling to ensure quality production. The session provided participants with comprehensive exposure to both the technical and management aspects required for sustainable mushroom cultivation projects.

In addition to the theoretical session, he also conducted a hands-on practical workshop, enabling participants to gain first-hand experience and apply proper cultivation techniques. This direct learning approach helped build participants’ confidence to embark on split gill mushroom cultivation projects at both household and commercial levels. To support more systematic project management, participants were also introduced to a Mushroom Project Monitoring Dashboard and a performance template for profit-and-loss calculations. These innovations were designed to assist participants in monitoring project progress, recording performance, and making informed financial decisions to ensure the sustainability of their ventures. The Head of PKD Jijan, Mrs. Nor Wany Affinda binti Mhd Postotdin Afandi, expressed her hope that similar initiatives would continue and be expanded in the future. “We hope this project can be further developed with support from various grant opportunities provided by universities and government agencies, such as the Geran Sejati MADANI,” she said. The successful implementation of this course reflects UPM’s continuous commitment to empowering communities through the transfer of knowledge and expertise, particularly through the contribution of staff from the Institute of Plantation Studies (IKP). Such initiatives play an important role in enhancing the socio-economic well-being of communities while encouraging greater participation in high-value agricultural activities.

Date of Input: 16/07/2026 | Updated: 16/07/2026 | ainzubaidah