For one of the world's most expensive mushrooms growing in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district, a Geographical Indication (GI) tag has been sought. The mushroom, locally known as Gucchi, or Morel, valued at over rupees 20,000 for every kilo, is a forest commodity gathered by provincial farmers and tribals living in the region. Last June, the state saffron was given a GI tag.
Recently, the GI tag application for Gucchi mushroom was submitted by the Jammu-based NGO Border World Foundation at the Geographical Indication Registry and facilitated by the Director of Agriculture, J&K.
In the temperate forests of the Doda district, a spongy, edible fungus is found which is said to have medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties. The applicants hope that for this unique heirloom crop, a GI tag will generate branding and commercial attention, thereby assisting the tribal population dependent on it for their livelihoods.
Ganesh Hingmire, an intellectual property (IP) lawyer who launched the application, said the idea was to secure India's borders through the IP walls with GI tags. Also, Doda's District Magistrate and Development Commissioner, Sagar Doifode, said the application process had been in the works for a year. He added that the acknowledgment of GI could help local farmers get better prices for their efforts.
Thanks to its environment, Rajma beans, Gucchi mushrooms and lavender plants grow well in the Doda valley. Since the snow melts, the mushrooms are harvested in March.
Gourmet Dish:
In pulaos, tropical wild mushrooms are used and served during celebrating times including weddings. They even find a spot on the high-end restaurants' gourmet menus. Gucchi pulao is rupees 2,500 plus taxes at the Dum Pukht restaurant in ITC Maurya, New Delhi.
The annual production at J&K of wild mushrooms is approximately 45 tonnes. It is also present in the high altitude areas of Kupwara, Pahalgam, Shopian, Kishtwar and Poonch, although mainly obtained from the forests and pastures of Doda district. There have been a few efforts to grow it on farms.
Due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial effects, the mushrooms are cherished. They are also considered a rich source of calcium, vitamin B and carbohydrates. The GI tag would help local farmers trying to grow them on their farms, J&K's Principal Secretary of Agriculture Development Department, Navin Kumar Choudhary, said.
