Young farmer earns handsomely from high-tech mushroom cultivation

Kanchanpur: Bir Bahadur Rana, 29, of Kasraul in Shuklaphanta Municipality-6, has set an example of a self-reliant farmer in his village by cultivating mushrooms using modern technology.

Rana, who completed an 18-month agriculture (JTA) course, produces both seasonal and off-season mushrooms in high-tech tunnels, earning more than Rs. 1.5 million annually. After deducting expenses, he makes a profit of around Rs. 1 million each year.

He cultivates virgin mushrooms during the cold season and milky mushrooms in summer. According to him, milky mushrooms are ready within 15 days after placing the lumps, while virgin mushrooms take about 20 to 25 days. Although he also grows pink mushrooms, he has currently suspended their cultivation due to limited market demand.

In the Mahendranagar and Jhalari markets, off-season virgin mushrooms are sold at Rs. 350 per kilogram and at Rs. 100 per kilogram during the season, while milky mushrooms fetch Rs. 400 per kilogram. With rising demand, Rana has begun supplying mushrooms to external markets as well. Demand peaks during weddings, feasts, and festivals. He currently delivers mushrooms to various locations using his motorcycle.

Rana started mushroom farming in 2077 BS, applying the knowledge gained during his JTA studies. He began on a small scale in a corner of his shed by boiling straw at home, drying it, preparing 25 straw bales, and sowing seeds. Encouraged by a successful yield, he expanded to commercial-scale farming.

He initially cultivated mushrooms seasonally by preparing 500 straw bales in a bamboo hut. The ease of market sales encouraged him to expand further. Today, Rana operates six high-tech iron tunnels where mushrooms are cultivated year-round. Modern equipment is used for cutting, boiling, and drying straw. While he received partial grant support for some equipment and tunnels, most of his investment came from personal earnings.

Rana says that the use of modern technology has helped reduce time, labor, and costs. His wife and family assist him in mushroom farming, and he hires additional workers during busy periods.

“Unsold mushrooms can be dried and sold at double the price,” Rana said. “I plan to purchase a modern electronic dryer for that purpose.” He currently has an investment of around Rs. 2 million in mushroom farming and plans to increase it further to start cultivating Dalle mushrooms.

He emphasizes the importance of using quality seeds, noting that good seeds lead to higher yields, while poor-quality seeds can reduce harvests. He also said mushrooms, like other crops, are prone to diseases and require timely treatment. Rana credits his agricultural education for his success, saying, “Modern training and technology are essential for expanding mushroom farming. Agricultural agencies should take an interest in promoting it.”

Having achieved success through his own efforts, Rana has become a source of inspiration for other youths in the area. His story demonstrates that with modern technology and dedication, success in agriculture is possible even in rural villages.