July 25: If proper harvesting practices are not adopted, the sustainability of cordyceps could be at risk. This was revealed at a workshop on Cordyceps Conservation and Management held early this week.

The workshop was chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho. It is part of a four-year project known as “Going for Gold” between the Council for RNR Research of Bhutan, Commonwealth Agriculture Bureau International (CABI) Science in the UK, and Bangkok-based Bio-Tech.

The Project Leader of CABI Science, Dr. Paul Cannon made a presentation on the future of cordyceps in Bhutan.

He said harvesting should not be allowed after June if sustainability is to be ensured. He said after June, the cordyceps begin to mature. This is the most important stage as this period would see spores being formed and spread to infect new larvae thus ensuring the propagation of cordyceps. When the mature specimens are harvested, there would be few left to further propagate the species.

The Agriculture Minister, Lyonpo Dr. Pema Gyamtsho said the government is looking into a plough back mechanism whereby the revenue generated from the auction could be used for monitoring and researching the harvesting of cordyceps.