RACHHPAL IS STATE’S FIRST, COUNTRY’S SECOND FARMER TO CULTIVATE MEDICINAL MUSHROOM
MEDICINCAL MUSHROOM IS SOLD AT RS 1 LAC PER KG
RACHHPPAL ALSO DOES STRAWBERRY FARMING
Harinder NiKKa ,Barnala, Nov 27: 2020
Barnala’s village Balloke farmer Rachhpal Singh has carved a niche for himself by becoming the first farmer in the state and the second in the country to cultivate Cordyceps militaris (a medicinal mushroom).
The 28-years-old young farmer Rachhpal says that he had attended four days’ workshop on mushroom cultivation at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra Barnala, which opened windows of possibilities in mushroom cultivation for him. Instead of starting with conventional mushroom cultivation, he decided to grow medicinal mushrooms. But he was not aware of ways to set up a lab, which would have the same temperature as Himalayas, as well as technique to grow the Cordyceps militaris.
Rachhpal Singh added that he has studied BA (honours) but due to lack of knowledge in science, he decided to study biology from class 9th to +2 and read articles on tissue culture of Cordyceps militaris. After one-and-a-half-years of hard work, he had succeeded in growing Cordyceps militaris.
Chief Agriculture Officer Dr Charanjit Singh Kainth said that using modern tissue culture techniques, Rachhpal is growing Cordyceps militaris, which is widely known for its usage in energy drinks, in medicines to treat cancer, kidney ailments etc. Its cost is Rs 1 lac to Rs 5 lacs per kg. Presently, Rachhpal is selling it at Rs 1 lac per kg.
He added that Rachhpal also does strawberry farming and is selling his produce under Ballo Brand to mandis as far as Delhi, which sells like hot cakes.
Cordyceps militaris is an elixir, Rachhpal
Rachhpal says that the medicinal mushroom is an elixir that’s known to cure many ailments. It’s taken as tea/drink. He gets orders online from all over the country.
Deputy Commissioner gives Rs 60K cheque to Rachhpal
Deputy Commissioner Mr Tej Partap Singh Phoolka honoured Balloke farmer Rachhpal Singh with Rs 60000 cheque to encourage him. He said that Rachhpal was the only farmer in Punjab to take up this farming. Under the ATMA scheme innovative activity he has been awarded Rs 50000 and another Rs 10000 as kisna award.
