Dearth of gucchi mushrooms disappoints Humla locals

By Our Correspondent,Humla, May 10: Farmers who ventured into the forest to gather gucchi mushrooms, also known as morel mushrooms, are worried as they struggle to find mushrooms that were abundant in the past.

People complained that the collection was far fewer compared to the previous year.

Insufficient rain during the time of mushrooms' growth led to their dearth in the collection time, said the locals. 

Tek Bahadur Budha of Kharpunath Rural Municipality- 3, Raya, said that farmers are finding fewer gucchi mushrooms in the forests this year. He said he found only 20 pieces of gucchi mushrooms in a week. 

Last year, he earned Rs. 250,000 by selling gucchi mushrooms, but this year he has collected only 100 grams of mushrooms.

He said that he goes to the forest each day and returns home after gathering just two to three pieces. This year, the farmers will not make a good income selling gucchi mushrooms, he added. 

Similarly, Dane Phadera of Unapani village in Sarkegad Rural Municipality- 3 said that although he could find a small amount of gucchi mushrooms in areas with moist soil, the regions where he gathered mushrooms last year have produced hardly any mushrooms this year. 

Last year, he earned about Rs.  300,000 by collecting gucchi mushrooms. He said that he gathered only 50 pieces of mushrooms in two weeks. He said that this year, the farmers will not earn as much as expected.

Meanwhile, Basana Shahi of Chankheli Rural Municipality- 4 said that collecting gucchi mushrooms this time felt like a waste of time.

Shahi said she wanted to go to the forest to pick mushrooms after others had gone, but since she could not find any, she had to return empty-handed.

Last year, Shahi earned about Rs. 150,000 selling the gucchi mushrooms. The gucchi mushrooms were sold for Rs. 12, 000 to Rs. 14, 000 per kilogram.

Mushroom trader Ram Bahadur Bhandari stated that the mushroom trade has significantly decreased this year.