Srinagar, May 01: The Agriculture Department has proposed the geographical indication (GI) tag for Gucchi mushroom – one of the costliest mushrooms in the world – that grows in the Doda district, officials said on Monday.
Commonly known as common morel, it is a species of fungus in the family Morchellacae of the Ascomycota. It is one of the most readily recognised of all the edible mushrooms and is highly sought after.
Chief Agriculture Officer, Doda, Anil Gupta said they have proposed GI for Gucchi mushroom in an effort to promote this unique species of fungus. “We have proposed for its GI registration with the Registrar of GI Registry, Chennai and we are hopeful that we will get the GI Tag soon,” he said.
The distinctive, exclusive and rare character of the Doda’s Gucchi is the result of several characteristics like the altitude of Doda (2,000 metres), the cold environment, the loamy soil rich in humus, and the coniferous forest.
The CAO said when the mushroom grows in March or April, it begins as a tightly compressed, grayish sponge with lighter ridges and expands to form a large yellowish sponge with large pits and ridges raised on a large white stem.
“Gucchi grows mostly in forest areas. It is also found in plains where there is an abundant amount of sand and also near water bodies. After remaining under soil for most of the year, the rarely found Gucchi, comes out of the surface with the onset of spring,” he said.
Gupta said that they have been working on the GI tag processing over the past three years and finally proposing it. It is aimed at recognising the prized mushroom.
“It is a locally important mushroom and it has a good market value. Once it gets the GI Tag it will get further promotion and it will become an international brand,” he said, adding that the GI tag would hugely benefit local collectors.
“Collection of the mushroom is not easy as it is not cultivable and grows in the wild. They are usually collected in March-April and July-August after they reach the desired height and diameter,” the CAO said.
Last year also, the department held a discussion and later they included it in the proposal just like the other products that were proposed for the GI tag.
This costliest vegetable in the world is priced between Rs 30,000 to 50,000 a kilogramme.
