Bumthang Dzongkhag presents an ideal environment for commercial mushroom cultivation due to its abundant agricultural raw materials and strong market demand from monastic institutions and high-end hotels.
Mushroom farming not only utilizes agricultural waste efficiently but also generates income, reduces forest fire risks, and creates employment opportunities, particularly for rural youth and women.
Despite local production efforts, Bhutan continues to rely on mushroom imports, mainly from India, to meet growing demand. To bridge this gap, Bumthang Nazhoen Datshen, a group of eight members, was established in 2024 to develop a smart, sawdust-based mushroom farm incorporating IoT-based climate control technologies.
The initiative is financially supported by various stakeholders and includes a spawn production unit to ensure a stable supply of quality spawn.
Additionally, a five-day training program, organized by the Dzongkhag Agriculture Sector in collaboration with RENEW and supported by the Agriculture Research and Development Center, Wengkhar, enhanced local expertise in mushroom science, spawn production, and advanced cultivation techniques. These efforts position Bumthang as a hub for sustainable and technologically advanced mushroom production in Bhutan.
The Group is currently implementing a mushroom cultivation supported through UNDP-SGP with support of GEF OP 7 funds in Partnership with Bumthang Dzongkhag, ARDC Wengkhar and National Mushroom Centre.
