Jhapa. Ram Bahadur Khatri of Birtamod-3 has become an exemplary entrepreneur by producing mushroom seeds with advanced technology in the country. Foreign dependence on mushroom seeds has decreased after it started being produced in the country.

The Pathivara Mushroom and Seed Industry established by the Khatri family some 14 years ago has been producing mushroom seeds for the first time in Koshi Province using tissue culture technology. The factory produces 45,000 kg mushroom seeds annually. Khatri said that he earns more than Rs 1.5 crore from this.

Seven people have got full-time employment in the industry. He said that he and three other workers were members of his own family. Four workers from outside the factory have got full-time jobs.

“We have been using tissue culture technology for mushroom farming as it is possible to earn a lot of income with little investment and hard work,” Khatri said, adding, “We are using tissue culture technology for mushroom farming as it is disease-free and healthy mushroom production.” ’

Khatri has established a modern laboratory to produce mushrooms using tissue culture technology. This is the first of its kind in Koshi State. In the laboratory he runs, mushroom seeds are grown on wheat, maize and firewood seeds using tissue culture technology.

Khatri said that he produced mushroom seeds for the first time in the state after receiving training on tissue culture technology from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar of India. According to him, although wheat and other grains are used in the country, the chemical elements are imported from India.

“Our factory produces 1,500 packets of mushroom seeds from 150 kilograms of wheat on a daily basis”, he said, adding, “Each packet sells the seeds at Rs 35”. The industry has also been providing technical consultancy and raw materials to those who want to start a new business. Khatri said that the seeds produced by the industry have not been able to meet the demand.

As many as 13 mushroom seed producing mushroom seeds have been established in Jhapa district after Khatri introduced tissue culture technology in Jhapa. The mushroom seeds produced by Pathivara Mushroom and Seed Industry are sold in Ilam, Morang, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Siraha, Saptari and Rupandehi besides Jhapa. The attraction of farmers towards mushroom farming has increased in recent times as the investment made once in mushroom farming will continue to produce for a long time, less labor will be required and general technical knowledge.