In recent years, farmers of Paro have been making good money from selling wild mushrooms called the sisi shamu. These days, the mushrooms fetch a minimum of Nu 1,000 for half a kilogram. As a result, many people have started visiting the forests to collect the wild mushroom.
Ugyen Tshering, 47, and his friends from Kempa in Dopshari Gewog walk a few kilometres away from the village and into the jungle to collect mushrooms.
They have their secret spots from where they collect the sisi shamu or chanterelle mushrooms.
“This year, I couldn’t collect much compared to the past. Earlier, I use to make Nu 60,000-70,000 by selling it. Some of my friends would even make about Nu 100,000,” said Ugyen Tshering, a farmer.
Ugyen says at the beginning of the season, they can earn as high as Nu 800 for 250 grams.
“During the first harvest, we earn about Nu 800. But the price has dropped these days. We earn about Nu 500,” said Ugyen Tshering.
“If we can collect the mushrooms, we earn about Nu 1,000 to 4,000 in a day. Today, we are selling the mushrooms at Nu 400 – 450 per 250 grams,” said Tshering Zam, another farmer.
Realising the good income one can make from it, many people have started collecting wild mushrooms.
“The production may be decreasing every year because there are many collectors. Last year’s harvest was good but it might not be the same this year,” said Tshering Zam.
“We observed that some people use gardening tools and dig the whole area and maybe damaging production,” said Sangay Zam, another farmer.
The villagers are hoping the Gewog offices will allow only the members of the community forest to collect the mushrooms and restrict others. This, they said might help ensure good production of the sisi shamu.
And as for Ugyen Tshering and his friends, they return home with over a kilogram of sisi shamu which will fetch a good amount of money in the market.
Namgay Wangchuk, Paro
Edited by Tshering Zam
