Mushroom farming popular

KATHMANDU: With mushroom farming offering high returns on low investment, farmers in Kathmandu Valley are turning towards it.

Chapagaun of Lalitpur and Balambu of Kathmandu are considered

the hotbeds of mushroom farming where many farmers are switching

over to it.

They say they are earning good money from mushroom farming which is a low cost affair.

Bhuwan Maharjan of Balambu is into mushroom farming for the

past 10 years and maintaining his family of five members.

He started mushroom farming after various organisations equipped him with necessary training.

Besides Maharjan there are other farmers here making a good living through this profession after undergoing training. Chapagaun takes pride in mushroom farming.

Goma Lamsal, who started mushroom farming some 15 years ago, has been taking care of seven members of her family with no trouble. So much so, that she is educating her three children.

“One can easily earn Rs 150,000 from Rs 100,000 investment in one season,” she said.

In Chapagaun alone, around 200 people, mostly women, have taken up mushroom farming.

Women here have a reason for starting mushroom farming. Most of them want to run the household themselves against the traditional notion of husbands becoming the breadwinners. Of various varieties of mushroom, kanyee and gobre mushrooms are popular here because of high yield with low investment.

While the former type fetches Rs 60 per kg in the market, the latter is more expensive at Rs 120 per kg. Chapagaun women have also set an example by forming Mushroom Production Sera Cooperative. Goma is the chairperson of the organization having 136 members.

Aside from Chapagaun and Balambu, other areas of Kathmandu Valley are also adopting mushroom farming as it is adds to financial strength.

Climatic conditions of Kathmandu Valley are suitable for mushroom farming. Apart from Kathmandu Valley, mushrooms are also being grown in other districts, even commercially.

It has been very popular in the districts also as it is a good income source for the villagers who can utilise their spare time and be self-employed.