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.
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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.