KATHMANDU: Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Dr Madan Prasad Pariyar, has said production, promotion and commercialization of mushroom is on the priority of the ministry.

In a message of best wishes on the occasion of the National Mushroom Day today, Minister Pariyar mentioned that Centre for Industrial Entomology Development under the Department of Agriculture has been launching different programmes for technology expansion, promotion and market of the mushroom.

The National Mushroom Day is being observed today for the first time this year as per government’s decision of marking Poush 15 as the National Mushroom Day with an objective of replacing import and promoting its export.

As per the statistics, mushroom has 0.15 per cent contribution to agriculture gross product of the country and around 35,000 farmers are directly involved in mushroom farming.

Out of 1,150 species of mushroom in Nepal, 147 species are edible, 70 species are medicinal and 100 species are poisonous, shows different studies.

Minister Pariyar opined that mushroom could be produced throughout the year due to geographical and climate diversity, employment could be created through commercial production of mushroom, as well as it could contribute to agriculture economy.

He also called on stakeholders involved in study, research, infrastructure development and market promotion for coordination and cooperation for further promotion of mushroom farming in coming days.