A room that emanates warmth and moisture, perfectly designed to mimic the conditions that mushrooms crave. The air is thick with the earthy scent of damp wood, an olfactory reminder of the treasure trove of shiitake and oyster mushrooms that call this place home.
Cheychey 35-year-old, tends to her precious logs, the very essence of her endeavor- orchestrating the cultivation of a thriving mushroom farm.
With her sleeves rolled up and hands covered in the residue of hard work, Cheychey maneuvers wooden logs with a grace born from familiarity. Each log carries a story, a journey from bare wood to a canvas for nature’s artistic expression.
As she arranges the damp logs with meticulous care, it’s evident that her actions are driven not just by routine, but by a deep-rooted connection to the earth.
The water tank nearby serves as a reservoir of vitality for her thriving fungi. One by one, Cheychey immerses the logs, allowing them to soak in the nourishing moisture. The sight of water droplets cascading down the logs is reminiscent of the gentle rhythms of a mountain stream. With every dunk, she seems to be infusing life into the logs, a process that mirrors her unwavering commitment to her craft.
As the evening light fades, the room becomes a sanctuary of tranquility. The soft glistening of wet logs and the humid air create an ambiance that speaks of life’s cycle, of growth and renewal. It’s a scene that summarizes Cheychey’s dedication.
Watering logs every evening has become an intrinsic part of Cheychey’s daily life during mushroom season. The moist environment nurtures the mushrooms, coaxing them to unfurl delicate caps and release their earthy aroma.
In 2021, Cheychey embarked on an extraordinary journey with the establishment of CheyChey mushroom farm, unveiling a narrative fueled by an indomitable love for the environment and a fervent ambition to serve the freshest, healthiest mushrooms to discerning patrons.
Driven by a steadfast passion for natural resources, Cheychey’s voyage into the realm of fungi cultivation was buoyed by her enthusiasm and aided by the guiding hand of the Dzongkhag administration in conjunction with the Bhutan mushroom center.
Armed with this alliance and fueled by her own zeal, Cheychey embraced the intricacies of fungi culture, culminating in an exhaustive eight-day program dedicated to the mastery of shiitake and oyster mushrooms. This knowledge acquisition was coupled with a grant of Nu.1 lakh, a financial springboard propelling her aspirations further.
Yet, her quest for excellence didn’t halt at training’s threshold. Empowered by a five-day immersion in Gedu courtesy of the Youth Employment and Rural Entrepreneurship project, a collaborative effort with the Ministry of Agriculture, Cheychey’s skill set evolved, fortified by invaluable insights. This metamorphosis was mirrored in the grants awarded to her business, affirming the investment in her entrepreneurial vision.
The inception of her mushroom business marked the implantation of 1500 shiitake mushroom logs and 1000 oyster mushroom cylinders, a Herculean effort that witnessed Cheychey’s determination overcoming spatial constraints. A symphony of challenges, from climate control conundrums to the menace of contamination, fungal afflictions, erratic demand fluctuations, and formidable competition, was orchestrated alongside her journey. Through these tribulations, Cheychey’s spirit remained unbroken, her resolve undiminished, as she stood unwavering in the face of adversity.
“I confine the distribution of my mushrooms within Bhutan, and the trajectory of my business surpasses even my most optimistic projections,” Cheychey affirmed. However, her gaze spanned horizons as she animatedly declared, “In times ahead, envision exporting pristine shiitake and oyster mushrooms to distant shores.” A testament to her ambition, her aspirations resonated on a global canvas, her focus fixed on expansion and international recognition.
Today, the thriving dance of oyster and shiitake mushrooms stands as a living testament to Cheychey’s relentless devotion. Fueled by their rich flavor and culinary versatility, these fungi have become sought-after delicacies, a testament to her unyielding commitment to excellence.
Embedded within Cheychey’s saga is a narrative that transcends entrepreneurship—a parable of persistence, courage, and the art of surmounting obstacles. Her story resonates as a clarion call to the youth and the unemployed, encouraging them to harness their passions and navigate the path of transformative change within the entrepreneurial universe.
As CheyChey’s mushrooms thrive, their growth story mirrors the transformative power of nurturing dreams. In this remarkable narrative, Cheychey doesn’t merely cultivate mushrooms—she cultivates hope, inspiration, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
By Tendrel Zangmo
