𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐲𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫

…𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒉𝒉𝒐𝒌𝒉𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒕, 𝒒𝒖𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒅

By UgyenThinley

Falling prices, poor weather, and concerns over fairness in the auction process have affected this year’s Cordyceps collection season in Chhokhor Gewog, Bumthang, leaving many collectors struggling to earn from what is often their only source of income. Only 566 collectors participated this year. The highest auction price fell significantly to Nu. 2.6 million, compared to Nu. 3.4 million last year, fueling frustration among local harvesters.

Locals said unfavourable weather conditions not only affected the growth of Cordyceps but also shortened the harvesting window. Many villagers expressed the need to extend the collection period to better align with shifting climatic patterns.

Sangla, the Gup of Chhokhor Gewog, said residents are permitted to harvest Cordyceps once a year, from May 15 to June 15, with a maximum of three collectors allowed per household.

“There are a total of around 700 to 800 households in Chhokhor. All the households do not participate in collecting Cordyceps, but this time only 566 people went to collect. The people of Chhokhor Gewog get only one chance in a year, and for a household, only three people are allowed to collect for a month,” he said.

He added that the quality of Cordyceps depends on environmental conditions, and the price varies accordingly.
“Some said the price has decreased compared to last year, but it also depends on the demand from national entrepreneurs. This year, the demand was less, so the price was also low,” Sangla said.

He explained that while Cordyceps from the Himalayan region are generally considered of high standard, the actual quality depends on weather and care taken during collection and storage.
“Half of the sellers brought better quality Cordyceps because they took proper care, like keeping it in moderate temperatures,” he said.

Kencho Norbu, the Mangmi of Chhokhor Gewog, also noted the decline in prices.
“Compared to last year, the price for this year’s Cordyceps is lower. This year, the ceiling price we received was approximately Nu. 2.6 million, whereas last year it was slightly higher, around Nu. 3.3 to 3.4 million.”
He added that only the people of Chhokhor Gewog are permitted to collect Cordyceps and that other gewogs are not allowed. He also described the quality assessment process during the auction.

“To check the quality, we have a committee that includes representatives from the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, Department of Macroeconomic Coordination, Forestry Division, the gewog administration, three bidders, and one Economic Development and Marketing Officer. This team evaluates and sorts the Cordyceps into different grades, from lower to higher standard,” he said.

Chimi Dorji, a 51-year-old horseman from Chhokhor Gewog, said this year’s collection was particularly difficult.
“After getting permission, we went up to collect Cordyceps, but the weather was not favourable. Snow and hail made it hard to pick even for a day. When it cleared a bit, we tried our best, since this is our only source of income. It rained almost every night, damaging the growth,” he said.

He noted that Cordyceps appeared earlier than usual this year.
“I cannot say exactly why, maybe it is the Bhutanese calendar or the geographical conditions, but the Cordyceps grew earlier. Many stayed for a month, but most found only low-quality or rotten Cordyceps. I personally collected for just 25 days,” he said.
He expressed the community’s desire for a longer collection period.

“The people of Chhokhor Gewog are hoping for a three-month collection period. We are thankful for the one month we get, but due to changing weather, Cordyceps sometimes come early or late. If the permit could cover a longer time, we could harvest according to the natural growth, without fear of being chased by the forestry department,” he said.
Tshering Gyeltshen, a 31-year-old villager, said his Cordyceps was graded B this year.

“Last year, my Cordyceps was graded A, so compared to that, the grade came down. But it’s not bad,” he said.
He also spoke about his experience with the auction.
“I tried to apply for the auction this year, but it did not go well, so I withdrew my application. Since the price is determined by the buyers and fixed on their terms, we couldn’t do much. In the end, we decided to combine our Cordyceps and sell it together,” he said.

As a cowherder, he was able to extend his stay in the collection area.
“The permit allows for one month of collection, but I stayed for an extra five days before the permit was issued because I was already up there with my cows. I found that the Cordyceps in my permitted area were still in good condition, so I stayed the full month,” he said.

He also raised concerns about fairness in the auction process.
“I think the participation of certain Cordyceps owners is unnecessary. I believe they are bringing Cordyceps from outside the country and placing them above ours. If such owners do not take part in the auction, it would be fairer for the local collectors,” he said.

Tshewang Dema, a 40-year-old villager, said this year’s harvest was disappointing.
“Compared to last year, my Cordyceps were very poor in quality, maybe due to the location,” she said. “It snowed for almost 10 days, which really disrupted harvesting. Many of the early sprouting Cordyceps were taken by highlanders, and by the time we received our permits, the snow made it nearly impossible to pick properly.”

She added, “We have no other source of income, unlike the highlanders who can fall back on their land, so this is our only option. Despite staying the permitted 30 days, I couldn’t collect much because of the weather. I have been harvesting Cordyceps for years, so picking itself was not a challenge. However, the bidders’ price was strictly based on quality, and this year mine was too poor to sell. So, I have kept what little I managed to collect at home, hoping for better luck next season.”