Mushroom benefits farmers

Mushroom farmers are a happier lot these days after mushroom seeds started becoming available in the local market following the production of the same by nine different labs in Kathmandu, Pokhara and Nepalgunj.

Earlier, farmers used to depend on imported seeds. Currently, Commercial Insect Development Directorate, Plant Disease Division, Agricultural Technology Training Centre at Jorpati, Mushroom Technology Centre at Godabari, Mushroom Seed Production Centre in Balambu, Nepalgunj and Pokhara, Regional Plant Protection Lab at Pokhara and Agrobusiness Centre for Research and Development, Kalimati, have been producing mushroom seeds.

The Commercial Insect Development Directorate said the labs are producing 156,500 bottles of seed from wheat annually. Commercial mushroom farming began in Nepal some 30 years ago and its farming is concentrated in urban and peri-urban areas.

Government provides 50 percent subsidy in mushroom farming. Durga Baral of Chapagaun said availability of locally-produced seeds has further motivated her into the profession.

The interim development plan of the government targets producing 1500 tons of mushroom annually.