Shiitake mushroom has over the years become an important source of income for the people of Gidawom in Thimphu. The demand for the mushroom is growing but so is the challenge of cultivating it.
Of late, pests and other invasive species growth have become a threat to their prized mushrooms.
“Rats are a nuisance,” shared Thinley Zangmo. “They can damage about three kilograms of mushroom in one night.”
Thinley had tried placing bowls of rice all over the room where she grows mushrooms in a bid to prevent the rats from attacking her mushrooms. But much to her dismay, it has not helped.
“I even tired leaving rat cakes but this, too, has failed to work,” she added.
It is also difficult to get oak tree logs to grow mushrooms. The farmers have to go all way to Genekha and other far off places to get the logs.
Almost all 25 households in the village grow the mushroom locally known as Sokay Shamu. While some of them started in 2008, others are new to it.
A kilogram of Siitake fetches them Nu 500. The mushroom, which is grown on watered oak tree log, can be harvested every three days.
“You earn better from it than vegetable farming,” said Nima Sherpa.
