August 9: Farmers have fetched a record high of Nu. 96 million from Cordyceps auctioning this year. According to the Agriculture Marketing Services, the value realized from the auction is double than that of last year.

Agriculture officials say there has been a substantial increase in the quantity of Cordyceps collected and value realized from the auctions.

With the auctions coming to an end, the value realized from the auctions were double than last year, hitting the Nu. 96 million mark.

In a release, the ministry of agriculture says the highest quantity was sold in Sephu geog, 204 kilograms amounting to Nu. 30 million.

This year, 672 kilos of Cordyceps were auctioned. The figure was 140 kilos in 2007.

The agriculture ministry says that the increase in the value and quantity is because of the liberalization of the collection of Cordyceps. Previously only one person from each household was given the permit to collect Cordyceps. But beginning this year, permits were issued to all members of a household to collect Cordyceps.

However, the collection period is restricted to one month to ensure its sustainability.