Farmers have been attracted towards commercial mushroom farming in Chitwan.

Lured by handsome return from mushroom farming, the numbers of mushroom farmers increased by 30 per cent this year compared to last year, according to the District Agriculture Development Office, Chitwan.

The office said more than 100 farmers are into commercial mushroom farming. Mushroom farming is more popular in Padampur, Krishnapur, Sharadanagar, Bharatpur, Khairahini and Parbatipur.In Padampur alone, there are 20 commercial mushroom farmers.

“Compared to other occupations, mushroom farming is lucrative,” said Baburam KC of Padampur, who is a commercial mushroom farmer now.

According to KC, mushroom farming can bring in an income up to Rs 500,000. Farmers sell a kg of mushroom at Rs 250.