Rare Himalayan Fungus Yarsagumba Outprices Silver by 5.5 Times at Rs 15 Lakh/Kg

• Yarsagumba, a rare medicinal fungus, is priced at an extraordinary Rs 15 lakh per kilogram at a horticulture fair in Koppal, Karnataka.
• This price makes it more than 5.5 times costlier than silver, which trades at around Rs 2.68 lakh per kilogram.
• The Koppal Horticulture Department is showcasing Yarsagumba to encourage farmers to explore high-value medicinal and specialty crops.
• The fungus is found in high-altitude Himalayan regions, and its rarity, labor-intensive harvesting, and medicinal demand contribute to its high market value.
• Yarsagumba's status as "biological gold" highlights a changing agricultural economy where niche demand and biodiversity create significant economic opportunities.