Nepal Marks First National Mushroom Day to Boost Production and Exports

Nepal is marking its first National Mushroom Day today, December 30, to promote production of high-quality mushrooms, enhance food and nutrition security, increase domestic consumption, support import substitution, and encourage exports.

The government officially approved the observance of the National Mushroom Day on December 26.

Mushroom cultivation contributes 0.15 percent to Nepal’s agricultural gross domestic product and engages around 35,000 farmers, providing a vital source of income for small and medium-sized farmers. Studies indicate that out of more than 1,150 mushroom species in Nepal, 147 are edible, 70 possess medicinal properties, and 100 are toxic.

In recent years, a growing number of farmers are engaged in commercial mushroom farming with support from both entrepreneurs and the government, establishing a foundation for import substitution and export growth.

Read: Mushroom Production Surges by 76% in Ten Years

According to Prakash Kumar Sanjel, Director General of the Department of Agriculture, Nepal imported 2,262 kilograms of fresh mushrooms worth Rs 671,000 in fiscal year 2024/25, while exporting 17,198 kilograms of mushrooms valued at Rs 1.01 million.

The country has also recently started exporting dried mushrooms.

Experts say mushroom cultivation offers quick yields compared to other crops, requires minimal land and agricultural inputs, and can be grown year-round due to Nepal’s diverse geography and climate. Its commercial production and value chain development are therefore crucial for generating employment, supporting the agricultural economy, and promoting both import substitution and exports.

Currently, mushroom cultivation has expanded to 70 districts, with farmers in 40 districts producing commercially.

According to Santosh Karki, president of the Mushroom Producers’ Association Nepal, various mushroom species are cultivated across the country, generating an estimated annual turnover of around Rs 2 billion.

The first cultivation and research of mushrooms in Nepal began in 1973/74, focusing on production techniques. Following a successful research on mushroom cultivation technologies by the National Agriculture Research Council, farmers across Nepal began receiving training in 1980, expanding cultivation in several regions. Continuous mushroom cultivation has been carried out since 1978/79 in areas including Balambu, Chapagaun, and Dadhikot in Kathmandu, spreading to other parts of the country.

Promotion and commercialization of mushroom production remain a priority for the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. Programs for technology dissemination, market promotion, and value chain development are being run by the Department of Agriculture’s Center for Commercial Insect Development, while research and high-quality seed supply are managed by the National Crop Disease Research Center under the Nepal Agriculture Research Council.

On the occasion of the National Mushroom Day, Agriculture Minister Dr. Madan Prasad Pariyar extended greetings to mushroom producers, entrepreneurs, consumers, and stakeholders. He emphasized that the observance would strengthen collaboration among farmers, researchers, and businesses involved in the mushroom value chain, raise awareness of mushrooms’ nutritional and economic importance, connect farmers with new technologies and market opportunities, and provide policy guidance for the sector.

Dr. Pariyar also called for coordinated support from all stakeholders engaged in research, infrastructure development, and market promotion to further advance mushroom cultivation in the country. -- RSS