Jaya Bahadur Shahi, a farmer from Dipayal Siliguri Municipality-5, has started the commercial production of Gobre mushrooms, also known as Agaricus bisporus. He has ventured into mushroom cultivation for the first time by renting land near Zero Point in Dipayal Siliguri-5.
Previously engaged in the production of Oyster mushrooms (Kanya chyaau), Shahi has now expanded into cultivating Gobre mushrooms with support from the Agricultural Knowledge Center.
This season, he has prepared 200 mushroom bags. He sourced the necessary compost from Hetauda and planted the mushrooms some one and a month ago. “I purchased 20 tons of compost at Rs 50 per kilogram and brought mushroom seeds from Dhangadhi. The total cost until the start of production has reached Rs 200,000,” he said.
According to Shahi, cultivating Gobre mushrooms requires more effort than other mushroom varieties. As a junior technical assistant (JTA) graduate in agriculture, he explained that growing these mushrooms demands technical knowledge, particularly in maintaining an optimal room temperature of 22 to 25 degrees Celsius. Proper watering and temperature control are crucial after opening the mushroom packages.
“Currently, I am selling four to five kilograms of mushrooms daily, and I am preparing to explore the market in the coming days,” he added. At present, Gobre mushrooms are priced at Rs 400 per kilogram.
The Agricultural Knowledge Center has provided 50% of the total cost to support Shahi’s mushroom cultivation. Gangadatta Awasthi, the acting office chief of the Knowledge Center, stated that after a successful trial in Rautkatte, Jorayal Rural Municipality last year, commercial production has begun in the current fiscal year. He emphasized that the knowledge center is promoting Gobre mushroom for its significant nutritional and economic benefits.
Gobre mushrooms are commonly used in dishes such as mushroom chili, mushroom soup, and mushroom pakoda. With local production now underway, Awasthi is confident that these mushrooms will soon be in demand in hotels and restaurants across the district. Additionally, the knowledge center is currently testing Shiitake mushrooms and has pledged continued support for mushroom farmers in the region.
