By Chitra Mijar, Sindhupalchowk, Sept. 3: The youths of Tripura Sundari Rural Municipality -2, Chokati, have started to become self-reliant by cultivating mushroom, which they had started as a pastime when the nationwide lockdown started over six months ago.

The youths started the business of Kanya Mushroom by renting 10 Ropanis of land in Lagarche of Chokati.

They said they started mushroom farming in the hope of becoming self-reliant even by running a small business in their own village instead of going abroad and working in another country.

Currently, mushroom is being cultivated in 12 tunnels. The startup mushroom business which was started with 1 million rupees is yielding a good profit, shared the youths.

The mushroom is produced in full swing. And, no pesticide is used in the production, said Subash Raut, one of the youths in the mushroom business.

On a daily basis, there is three to five hundred kilos of mushroom production. And, it is sold out to the dealer of Kathmandu and Panchkhal, added Subash.

Because of the organic production, its demand has increased both in Kathmandu and the local market here, said Sabin Raut, a youth involved in mushroom plantation.

The mushroom produced since February, 2020, by the youths under the name of Sura Krishi Pvt. Ltd. have been sold at Rs. 150 per kg in the local market.

According to the youths involved in the firm, they buy the straw from Terai and boil it in water, making the shape of a ball and they plant the Kanya mushroom seed it to produce delicious mushroom.

The demand of the mushroom produced by them is increasing day by day.

After the youths from Chokati started earning enough income through commercial production and selling of mushrooms, other youths of the nearby area have been impressed by them and started various commercial farming.