mushroom locally known as Sangay Shamu has been one of the primary sources of income for the people of Ge-nyen Gewog in Thimphu. Matsutake is to them what cordyceps is to the Highlanders.
The highly sought-after mushroom, known for its distinct spicy-aromatic odour, fetches the locals a decent income every year. On average, a household earns close to Nu 200,000 from mushroom during the season. Locals say the yield this year was slightly less than previous years, as a result, the price this time is relatively higher.
“The income helps us meet the expenses of our children and our household expenses. We do not have to put in effort in cultivation. The mushroom has helped in the overall development of the gewog,” Gyem said.
Matsutake mushrooms develop in groups at the base of pine trees at an elevation of over 9,000-feet. They are gathered once every year amid collecting season, which is from July till September.
To further promote and preserve the mushroom, a committee has been formed by the gewog in 2007. The committee has over 100 members.
“In the past, the price used to be around Nu 200 to 500 per kilogram. Last year it fetched Nu 1,000 for A grade and Nu 600 for B grade. This year people requested to increase the price to Nu 1,400 ngultrum for A grade and Nu 1,000 for B grade,” Kencho Tshering, the Chairperson of Ge-nyen Shamu Zinchong Tshogpa, said.
Realising the huge avenue from the mushroom and its benefits on the lives of the locals the gewog has been constantly supporting the committee. There are also many future initiatives for continuous sustainable harvesting of the mushroom.
“We are further planning and preparing programs to develop mushroom and its related avenues such as eco-tourism. We are planning to construct farmhouses, children parks for the tourist. We are ready with the plans and the budget is also ready. We also want to create jobs for at least 20 youth in the gewog,” Karma Gyeltshen, the Ge-nyen Gup, said.
The annual mushroom festival in Ge-nyen Gewog is one of the programmes promoting the mushroom. The two-day mushroom festival in Genekha ended today. The festival not only brings local people together but also attracts an increasing number of tourists every year.
The festival is organised by gewog administration and mushroom management group in collaboration with the national mushroom centre supported by the Tourism Council of Bhutan.
The festival is first started in 2015.
