MUSHROOM FARMING.
Mushrooms is a member of the fungus family; rich in protein, Vitamin B, and minerals, are edible cash crops with a large global demand. Their cultivation, which is not just fuelled by their various uses in staple meals, is also largely motivated by their wide medicinal uses, and as such, are cultivated and sold commercially in over 60 countries including Nigeria, The United States, France, Poland, Netherlands, and a host of other countries.
The biological makeup and fast growth rate (usually 3 weeks) of edible mushrooms, also scientifically known as Agrodok, makes them a choice crop for a small sect of farmers with a wide supply chain network. They can also be cultivated domestically or picked in the wild, with some growing above the ground and others growing below the ground.
If you’re looking to venture into a less crowded branch of agriculture with high prospects for exportation, edible mushroom farming is a great bet to get into.
What Is Mushroom Farming About?
Mushroom farming is the cultivation and commercial sale of edible mushrooms for food and medicinal purposes; either on decaying organic matter like tree trunks or on soils through the six farming steps namely: making the mushroom compost, finishing the compost, spawning, casing, pinning, and cropping. Their cultivation makes it possible for commercialisation and other benefits their nutritional and medicinal value adds.
Business Opportunities In Mushroom Farming Around The World.
1). A Source Of Food: Mushrooms are used as a source of food in many parts of the word, because they’re rich in protein (6%), dietary fibre (4%), low carbohydrates (1%), low calories (1%), riboflavin (24%), niacin (10%), pantothenic acid (15%), Vitamin D (5%), Copper (16%), Selenium (13%), Phosphorus (9%), and Potassium (9%).
Mushroom farmers growing the crop as a source of food can hone in on the international demand potential of this product and export them to countries like Zimbabwe, Tanzania, The United States, Netherlands, Poland, France, and several other countries.
2). Medicinal Purposes: Mushrooms are consumed worldwide, because of their health benefits. Some of their medicinal advantages includes protecting diabetic patients from infections, lowers cholesterol levels, prevents breast and prostate cancer, improves bone health, boosts the immune system, reduces blood pressure, stimulates the absorption of iron, aids in weight loss, amongst several others.
Their use creates opportunities in the health care industry, thereby building an income stream for mushroom farmers through the constant supply of mushrooms to drug manufacturers and people who need the mushrooms directly.
Benefits Of Mushroom Farming
i). No barrier to production.
ii). Source of income and employment.
iii). Sustainable global demand.
iv). Cheaper to grow than many other crops.
v). They can grow in a small space.
vi)..They grow very fast (usually 3 weeks).
vii). They sell at great prices per square foot.
Facts About Mushrooms
a). Not all mushrooms can be consumed. Some are edible while others are poisonous.
b). They grow under sheds protected from the wind and sun.
c). They grow in moist and damp places.
4). They need Oxygen to grow.
Species that should be grown on wooden logs or sawdust:
Laetiporus sulphureus
Hericium erinaceus
Pholiota nameko
Other species that should be grown on manure, compost, straw, or combination of any of these:
Agaricus campestris
Macrolepiota procera
Coprinus comatus
Lentinus edodes
Agaricus bisporus
Lepista nuda
Stropharia rugoso-annulata.
Challenges Of Mushroom Farming
I). Lack of production skills.
ii). Lack of trained research personnel.
iii). Poor Market Network.
iv). Poor availability of affordable public spawn for farmers to purchase.
Warning: it is a suicide mission to venture into mushroom farming without training…why not contact us for proper training.
peretesi 