Protecting and cultivating mushrooms in Kashmir

DW (English)

Mushrooms can provide a valuable source of income in rural areas of Kashmir. Efforts are underway to promote sustainable farming practices, empower local communities and protect the delicate ecosystems where wild varieties grow.

Transcript

00:00Introducing the Gucci mushroom, likely the most valuable product of the forest floor

00:06here in Kashmir.

00:09Collectors proudly show off their finds on social media.

00:12The prized specimens are extremely rare and expensive.

00:16And with 500 grams selling for 18,000 rupees or 200 euros, getting an early start certainly

00:22pays off.

00:24It's now off-season as temperatures drop.

00:27Botanist Rauf Hamza Boda has spent years documenting the 200-plus varieties of mushroom

00:32in Kashmir.

00:34He also ventures out into the woodlands in the colder part of the year to check on how

00:39the populations are faring.

00:41And in recent years, that's not so well.

00:44Unfortunately, due to the deficit of rainfall and deforestation, a lot of mushrooms, their

00:51population density is decreasing day by day.

00:54And we find that there are hardly any mushrooms now, as it used to be 20 years, 10 years back.

01:02Last November, for example, saw 65 percent less rainfall than usual.

01:08We are in the Daksum forests, covering the Pir Panjal mountain range that stretches across

01:13Jammu and Kashmir, one of many areas where the symptoms of climate change have been evident

01:18for years, with protracted periods of heat coupled with heavier rainfall.

01:23Not as apparent are the extensive areas of mushrooms on the forest floor.

01:27Their networks of roots can extend several kilometres.

01:31And under the surface, they become intertwined with the delicate root ends of surrounding trees.

01:38This is a symbiotic relationship, meaning that this relationship is important for both.

01:43For example, pine trees perform photosynthesis and provide sugar to this mushroom, or some

01:50symbiotic mushroom.

01:51And in turn, these mushrooms provide phosphorus, nitrogen, and also give a lot of water by

02:00absorbing through its mycelium.

02:02This is a symbiotic relationship, and this is most important for the survival of the

02:07whole forest.

02:08If there are no mushrooms, there will be no forest.

02:12With the mushrooms' habitat slowly shrinking, the authorities see a potential economic boost

02:17for the region from farming them.

02:20With a lot of women, up here in the mountains, traditionally spending most of the day at

02:24home, the idea is for them to earn their own money by growing mushrooms.

02:2936-year-old Tahira Bashir started cultivating button mushrooms five years ago, with support

02:35from the regional agriculture department.

02:38I received training from them and started this business in 2019.

02:45We were awarded a subsidy for the cultivation unit, and only had to pay Rs 2,000 in total.

02:51So I thought it's good business if I can earn Rs 30,000 after investing just Rs 2,000.

03:00The work is physically demanding, but gives Tahira Bashir financial independence.

03:06She sells her produce together with her fellow farmers.

03:09After initial challenges and scepticism, they are now enjoying decent business.

03:14Due to controlled conditions, mushrooms are now available year-round, even during the

03:20off-season.

03:21Previously, they were only available in June and July, but now they are cultivated throughout

03:26the year.

03:30The regional agriculture ministry already has a department dedicated to mushroom cultivation.

03:35Sartaj Ahmed has been looking at ways of further expanding the sector, such as by the

03:40establishment of self-help groups among the women.

03:44Our future plans are to cultivate those mushrooms which will fetch high prices, like shiitake

03:51mushroom, ganoderma, which are having medicinal value and they fetch a very good price.

03:59Unfortunately, the growing amount of mushroom cultivation elsewhere is of no help to the

04:04Gucci's here in the forest.

04:06Botanist Rauf Hamza wants to see proper instructions for people who come collecting here.

04:12They should keep some mushrooms intact, if there are 10 mushrooms they are collecting

04:17it, keep at least 5 intact so that they spread the support for the next years.

04:24Tahira Bashir has been doing everything right.

04:27With growth of over 10% a year, button mushrooms are a flourishing business in India, and an

04:33empowering one for women like her.

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