Kanpur: An innovation and start-ups stall, displaying Gucchi mushroom, priced at Rs 35,000 per kg, remained the centre of attraction at at the MSME Entrepreneurship Conference.The mushroom, which grows in the hills of the Himalayas, was displayed at the stall of entrepreneur Santosh Rai from Faridabad. More than 10 varieties of mushrooms were displayed at his stall, including the ‘Shiitake’ mushroom, known for its anti-cancer properties.Rai said he took training in mushroom production and started his business in 2018 with an investment of around Rs 50,000-60,000 and in 8 years, his business reached an annual turnover of Rs 50-60 lakh.He earns approximately Rs 1 lakh per month providing employment to about 10 people. Most of his produce goes to European countries, he said.“When its price in India comes down to Rs 15,000 to 20,000, we hope that the demand will increase here as well. We are working together with scientists to develop a cheaper variety,” he said.“Due to the difficulty of foraging and high demand, they are among the most expensive mushrooms in the world. The medicinal properties of these mushrooms are nutrient-dense, containing high levels of vitamin D, iron, copper, and zinc, which aid in immunity and heart health,” he added.
