National Mushroom Fair Set to Showcase Varied Fungi Products
2 min read
Sola, Sept. 03
The Directorate of Mushroom Research (DMR) in Solan is gearing up to host the National Mushroom Fair on September 10th. Preparations for the event are already underway. The main attraction of the fair will be Cordyceps militaris, commonly known as the caterpillar fungus, which is fetching up to one lakh rupees per kilogram. Additionally, seven new varieties of mushrooms, including Mediterranean mushrooms, will be on display.
The fair will witness the participation of around 1200 mushroom producers from across the country, along with scientists from various departments. During the fair, discussions will revolve around the challenges faced in mushroom cultivation, including the recent decrease in mushroom production due to the rising cost of raw materials in Himachal Pradesh. Alternative solutions to address these issues will also be explored.
The National Mushroom Fair has been celebrated annually since 1998 and draws mushroom producers from all over the country. It serves as a platform to address problems related to mushroom cultivation, including diseases affecting mushrooms. India produces over 3010 metric tons of mushrooms each year, with a business turnover of more than four billion rupees. In Himachal Pradesh alone, around 15,000 tons of mushrooms are produced, contributing to a business worth nearly two crores.
However, recent mushroom production in Himachal has witnessed a decline due to the high cost of raw materials. The fair aims to find solutions to this issue and offer insights into new techniques for mushroom cultivation.
The exhibition will feature various products made from mushrooms, such as genoderma, hericium, shiitake, oyster mushrooms, and value-added mushroom products like pickles, mushroom cakes, mushroom candies, and mushroom barley biscuits. Farmers from Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, and other states will also participate in the fair.
