By A Staff Reporter
Kathmandu, Jan. 28: Mushroom Producer Farmers Association has demanded control of the illegal import of mushroom in Nepal.
“Recently, mushroom is being imported from various markets in India and other countries by using chemicals that prevents the produce from being damaged. Such mushroom is sold at many markets across the country,” the association said the other day demanding a strong monitoring of imports at the customs points and implement control measures to check the illegal imports.

President of association Santosh Karki claimed that mushroom is illegally sent to Nepal with an aim to replace the domestic product. “Without using pesticides and harmful materials, mushrooms can’t be kept for many days. These chemicals make the ‘superfood’ inedible. Therefore, the government must act to stop its import,” he said in a statement.

Likewise, vice-president of the association and chairman of Karnali Province Committee, Bijaya Gyawali said that while the price of most of the daily consumable goods was increasing in the international markets, price of mushroom has not gone up as expected.

“But we are running the enterprise despite these adversaries and providing jobs to many. Nepali farmers are not getting a reasonable price for their organic products while imported sub-standard produces have filled up the baskets in the market,” he said.

A central-level delegation of the association has already submitted a memorandum to the plant quarantine office, customs offices and district administration offices.
The association said that Indian mushroom is being imported under invoiced which has affected the domestic farmers.