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ICAR-Directorate of Mushroom Research Chambaghat, Solan, Himachal Pradesh – 173213, India (An Institute of Indian Council of Agricultural Research)

Former Directors

Leadership and institutional contributions at ICAR–Directorate of Mushroom Research, Solan.

Passport-size photograph of Prof. Dr. Harnek Singh Sohi

Former Director

Prof. Dr. Harnek Singh Sohi

1986–1990

Dr. Sohi was the first regular Director of the Mushroom Centre. He joined the National Centre for Mushroom Research and Training as Officer on Special Duty in July 1984 and served as Director from 27 September 1986 to 28 February 1990.

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He earned his Ph.D. from IARI, New Delhi, in 1966. His research covered fungal diseases of fruits, vegetables and ornamental crops. At DMR, Solan, he identified new fleshy-fungus species and mushroom competitors and pathogens, and developed three white button mushroom varieties, including a hybrid. He published around 300 research papers and held leadership roles in scientific societies.

Passport-size photograph of Dr. Rabindra Nath Verma

Former Director

Dr. Rabindra Nath Verma

1994–2002

Dr. Verma served as Director of the National Centre for Mushroom Research and Training (later NRCM), Solan, from 19 October 1994 to 31 March 2002.

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He obtained an M.Sc. in Botany (Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding) from Patna University in 1961 and a Ph.D. from Bhagalpur University in 1973. Before joining the mushroom research centre, he worked with the ICAR Research Complex for the North-Eastern Hill Region and at ICAR headquarters. He co-authored the book “Physiology of Fungi”.

Photograph of Dr. S. R. Sharma

Former Acting Director

Dr. S. R. Sharma

Acting Director: 1 March 1990–18 October 1994; 1 April 2002–30 July 2002

Dr. S. R. Sharma was a plant pathologist whose work focused on disease management and the production of edible mushrooms. He earned his M.Sc. in Plant Pathology in 1970 and Ph.D. in 1975 from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), New Delhi. He joined the mushroom research centre at Solan in 1989 and served as Acting Director and Project Coordinator of the All India Coordinated Mushroom Improvement Project (AICMIP) during the periods listed above.

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His research covered viral, mycoplasmal and fungal diseases, mushroom insect pests, and cultivation of speciality mushrooms. He contributed to production technologies for shiitake, black ear and milky mushrooms, and supported farmers and entrepreneurs through extension activities and training programmes. After retiring as Principal Scientist in June 2009, he joined the Directorate as Emeritus Scientist in July 2009.

Passport-size photograph of Dr. R. P. Tewari

Former Director

Dr. R. P. Tewari

July 2002–December 2008

Dr. Tewari served as Director of the National Research Centre for Mushroom from July 2002 to 31 December 2008. During his tenure, the centre’s infrastructure was modernised and advanced equipment introduced.

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He earned his M.Sc. in 1968 and Ph.D. in Botany in 1974 from the University of Gorakhpur. At ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, he headed the Division of Plant Pathology and Plant Genetic Resources and helped establish mushroom research and technology-transfer activities. He also served as an international consultant to FAO and coordinated an Indo-Dutch project in India.

Passport-size photograph of Dr. Manjit Singh

Former Director

Dr. Manjit Singh

2009–2015

Dr. Manjit Singh joined as Director of DMR on 1 January 2009 and served until superannuation on 31 March 2015.

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He earned his M.Sc. and Ph.D. from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, and joined ICAR’s Agricultural Research Service in 1976. He joined the mushroom research centre in 1984 and contributed to the development of three white button mushroom varieties, including a hybrid. After retirement, he became Mushroom Advisor to the Government of Punjab.

Passport-size photograph of Dr. V. P. Sharma

Former Director

Dr. V. P. Sharma

Former Director; retired 31 October 2025

Dr. Sharma joined ICAR-DMR in February 2004, served as Senior Scientist and Principal Scientist (Plant Pathology), and later became Director. He superannuated on 31 October 2025.

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He obtained his B.Sc. (Agriculture) from Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur, in 1984, M.Sc. in Plant Pathology in 1986 and Ph.D. in 1989 from Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan. His work included mushroom research, publications, a patent related to shiitake cultivation and software copyrights for mushroom-house design and spawn production.