Mushroom Cultivation In Bangladesh

[Alacoque Whitchurch]

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The mushroom, also known as a toadstool, is the fleshy reproductive structure of a fungus responsible for bearing spores. Typically, it emerges above the ground on soil or its nutritional substrate. Historical evidence suggests that the utilization of mushrooms during the Paleolithic era was approximately 2.5 million years ago. Notably, the renowned French monarch, Louis XIV, is recognized as the inaugural cultivator of mushrooms, thereby establishing France as the pioneering nation in mushroom production.

Bangladesh stands as a highly favorable country for the cultivation of mushrooms due to its favorable climate, characterized by low production costs and lucrative market prices (Alom & Bari, 2010). However, the historical development of mushroom cultivation in Bangladesh has been marked by initial challenges. While the cultivation of mushrooms possesses an ancient lineage, its practice is relatively recent within Bangladesh. In 1976, Azizul Hoque, an agricultural advisor, introduced the seeds of the Straw Mushroom from Thailand to Bangladesh. The responsibility for this endeavor was entrusted to M. Shahidul Islam, the director of the horticulture development board (uddan unnon board), which currently operates under the purview of the director-general of Agriculture extension. Utilizing these seeds, Islam commenced mushroom cultivation at the Asadgate horticulture nursery. Subsequently, in 1982-1983, a Japan Overseas Cooperative Volunteer (JOCV) member named Euoso-Aki-Kaki-Jaki assumed responsibility for the laboratory. With financial assistance from JOVC, a laboratory was established in 1984, and in 1985, it was officially handed over to the Government of Bangladesh by the Japanese Ambassador. Agronomist Mr. Abdur Rakib subsequently assumed charge of the laboratory. On November 1, 1986, Mr. Saleh Ahmed joined the center, and on November 15, 1986, volunteer Kojima Mashao joined as a junior expert through the Japanese JOCV. Mashao brought forth cultivable seeds capable of thriving in low-temperature conditions.

In 1987, two esteemed mushroom experts, Dr. Fadirico Jeny and Dr. Majioriana arrived in Bangladesh and conducted a one-month training program for the officers and staff of the laboratory, facilitated by funding from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Subsequently, they imported the Oyster mushroom seeds (Pleurotus Sajor-Caju) from Italy, a variety known for its cultivation at high temperatures. This initiative led to the approval of the "Bangladesh Mushroom Cultivation Pilot Project" project in 1988, with support from Japan, and its implementation commenced in 1990.

Between 1997 and 1998, the government initiated a project in Rangamati at a cost of Tk.7.5 crores. During this period, Begum Motia Chowdhury, the agriculture minister, procured Oyster and Straw Mushroom seeds from India and supplied them to the laboratory. In 1998, a research program was undertaken to investigate the mushroom varieties cultivated in Bangladesh, supported financially by the Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council. This research resulted in the preservation of twenty seed varieties.

On January 1, 2002, Sheikh Md. Ruhul Amin assumed the position of an assistant gardenia and proposed a development project worth Tk.4.71 crores. Under his guidance, the "Mushroom Center Development Project" was implemented from 2003 to 2006, costing Tk.4.71 crores. The allocated funds were utilized to repair and expand the laboratory building, establish a mushroom training hall, and make other related infrastructure enhancements. As part of this initiative, various training programs were conducted, including a 3-day Farmers Training, 5-day Extension Officers Training, and a 2-month Industrial Entrepreneur Training, all of which continue to be operational. Consequently, there was a notable increase in the number of farmers and industrial entrepreneurs engaged in mushroom cultivation, with many individuals now privately producing mushroom seeds.

From 2006 to 2009, agriculturist Sheikh Md. Ruhul Amin initiated the "Mushroom Development Project" at a cost of Tk.16 crores. Under this project, the Shobhanbagh laboratory was transformed into the "National Mushroom Development and Expansion Center." Additionally, six mushroom horticulture sub-centers were established in six districts, namely Shasongasa in Comilla, Vazondanga in Faridpur, Khoyeartola in Jessore, Mehedibagh in Sylhet, Dinajpur City in Dinajpur, and Hathajari in Chittagong. These centers conduct research programs published in the "Bangladesh Journal of Mushroom" and focus on infrastructure development. As a result, 350 individuals are involved in mushroom seed production, and fifteen large, medium, and small-scale mushroom-related food industries and a mushroom medicine industry (food supplement) have been established. Consequently, thousands of individuals are directly engaged in mushroom cultivation.

The government is implementing a project called "Mushroom Unnoyon o Jordarkoron" at the cost of Tk.50 crores, with agriculturist Mr. Saleh Ahmed assuming responsibility for its execution. The project encompasses a total of 16 sub-centers, with the additional sub-centers being Ghlonja in Cox's Bazaar, Rohomotpur in Barisal, Eashambosti in Rangamati, Keyoutkhali in Mymensingh, Bonani in Bogra, Pashgasiya in Feni, Balaghat in Bandarban, Burirhat in Rangpur, Doulotpur in Khulna, and Kollanpur in Chapinobabgonj (Mushroom Development Institution).

For Nipu Tripura life was full of uncertainty like the other women in the hills. During the bad days of COVID-19 she couldn't even run her grocery store. But overcoming all obstacles she has now became an agricultural entrepreneur. Before telling her remarkable story, I would like to say that television, particularly media, has played a big role in her agricultural development. She has not only written her success story, but made employment opportunities for many others. Nipu, a resident of Thakurchhara Notun Bazaar area in Khagrachhari, watched one of my episodes on mushroom cultivation of Magura's Babul Akhter on my YouTube channel and felt she could also start mushroom cultivation like Babul.

Later, Nipu, who had no formal training in mushroom farming, went to Khagrachhari but couldn't obtain any training from there. But that couldn't not stop her. She then decided to meet Babul in Magura. Last year, she took a short training from Babul and started mushroom cultivation by taking Tk 3 lakh (USD 3462) from her husband. During the early 90s, I did a documentary on renowned mushroom farmer Jahangir on Bangladesh Television's Mati O Manush (Soil & People) programme. Back then, Jahangir was also very young and enthusiastic, like Nipu. Among numerous mushroom entrepreneurs across the country, many women are also doing it at their homes. By reading news and watching TV and social media contents many mushroom farmers have emerged with diversified farming ideas and products now.

In the first year, Nipu earned Tk 9 lakh (USD 10,387) by selling commercial mushroom spawns. Now, she is developing and producing 10 to 12 thousand spawns every month, but she dreams of producing 25,000 spawns per month. She has employed eight women at her mushroom farm and established herself as a woman entrepreneur within a short time. She has also formed a cooperative society with 20 women members and giving them free training. Nipu is now dreaming of mother culture of mushrooms and expecting government's assistance in this regard as well.

In the context of Bangladesh, mushroom is a promising crop and has a great importance as it is nutritious, tasty and a major medicinal food. In densely populated and rapidly growing Bangladesh, the demand for food is increasing, but the supply is facing the imbalance. Besides, huge quantities of mushrooms can be produced in a small fallow land. Moreover, the climate of the country is favourable for the cultivation throughout the year. Mushroom farming is environment friendly and tolerant to natural disasters. According to Mushroom Development Institute, the opportunity of mushroom production is increasing rapidly. At present, about 40,000 tonnes of mushrooms, valued around Tk 800 crore (USD 92.3 million), are being produced every year. About 1.5 lakh people are involved in the production and marketing of the food items. There are opportunities to export mushrooms to different countries as almost all the economically developed countries of the world import mushroom.

Mushrooms can add a significant contribution to our agriculture sector and courageous woman entrepreneur like Nipu has shown us the way. We can ensure employment of many unemployed as well. Nipu is one of those who are showing us the light of hope. I hope that the country will move forward towards extensive mushroom cultivation and the government will take necessary measures for its betterment.

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Pleurotus eryngii is a popular mushroom due to its excellent consistency of cap and stem, culinary qualities and longer shelf life. In Bangladesh, where Pleurotus mushrooms are very popular, P. eryngii may take position among the consumers, but currently this mushroom is not cultivated in large scale there. In this study, 3 strains of P. eryngii such as Pe-1 (native to Bangladesh), Pe-2 (germplasm collected from China) and Pe-3 (germplasm collected from Japan) were cultivated on saw dust and rice straw and their growth and yield parameters were investigated. Pe-1 on saw dust showed the highest biological yield and efficiency (73.5%) than other strains. Also, the mycelium run rate and number of fruiting bodies were higher in Pe-1 than other two strains. The quality of mushroom strains was near about similar. On saw dust, the yield and efficiency were better than those cultivated on rice straw, however, on straw; the mushroom fruiting bodies were larger in size. This study shows the prospects of P. eryngii cultivation in Bangladesh and suggests further study in controlled environment for higher yield and production.

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