Last Updated: July 18, 2024, 19:00 ISTCordyceps militaris (Source: Social Media)Valued at a staggering Rs 1 lakh per kilogram, this mushroom is unlike its culinary counterparts priced at Rs 200 to Rs 400 per kg.In a startling revelation at the recent foundation day celebrations of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Delhi, a mushroom named Cordyceps militaris has emerged as a newsworthy discovery. Valued at a staggering Rs 1 lakh per kilogram, this mushroom, unlike its culinary counterparts priced at Rs 200 to Rs 400 per kilogram, is not merely a vegetable but a potent medicinal resource.Dr BL Atri, a scientist from the Directorate of Mushroom Research in Himachal Pradesh’s Solan, elucidated its remarkable health benefits. Typically harvested and sun-dried for preservation, Cordyceps militaris is hailed for its therapeutic properties, particularly beneficial for kidney and heart patients, enhancing stamina, and favoured by athletes. It is available selectively and can be acquired from Solan.Dr Satish Kumar, another scientist at the centre, detailed its cultivation process, emphasising controlled environments with temperatures ranging from 20 to 22 degrees Celsius. Grown in small jars, each producing approximately 25 grams yielding 200 to 250 pieces, this meticulous cultivation takes 45 days to complete.Moreover, efforts are underway to educate farmers nationwide on cultivating this prized mushroom. Dr. BL Atri highlighted ongoing training programs at the research center, aiming to equip groups of farmers with the necessary skills for cultivation on a monthly basis.