40,000 ton mushrooms being produced annually

At present, the country is producing about 40,000 metric tons of mushrooms every year with a financial value of around Tk 800 crore. In addition, about one and a half lakh people are involved in the production and marketing of mushrooms and mushroom products. The Ministry of Agriculture said this in reference to the Mushroom Development Institute.

Meanwhile, on Sunday (June 6) at the Mushroom Development Institute in Savar mushroom growers and entrepreneurs exchanged views with the Minister of Agriculture. Md. Abdur Razzak.

At that time, the agriculture minister said, work is underway to take up a project to expand mushroom cultivation in the country. The potential for cash crop mushroom cultivation in the country is much higher. This possibility must be used to the maximum. Improved varieties and cultivation techniques of mushrooms have already been invented. Work is now underway to rapidly expand and popularize development projects across the country at the farmer and entrepreneurial level.

Referring to the country being self-sufficient in food today, he said the present government has achieved remarkable success in agriculture in the last 12 years as a result of its agri-friendly policies and various incentives. The country is self-sufficient in food today. The government’s goal now is to commercialize agriculture and make it profitable and ensure nutritious food for all. In this case, there is a lot of potential for mushrooms. If its cultivation can be expanded and popularized, it can play a big role in the economy of Bangladesh. If they can be made entrepreneurs through training, local and international markets for mushrooms will be created. On the other hand, mushrooms are highly nutritious and will easily meet the nutritional needs of the people.

It is learned that the Mushroom Development Institute has so far imported 162 varieties of mushrooms from abroad. 140 varieties have also been collected from the hills and forests of the country.

Director General of the Department of Agricultural Extension. Asadullah presided over the State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief. Md. Enamur Rahman, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture (Extension) said. Hasanuzzaman Kallol, Savar Upazila Chairman Manjrul Alam Rajib, Municipal Mayor Abdul Gani and others spoke.

Ferdous Ahmed, Deputy Director, Mushroom Development Institute, presented an article titled ‘Needs, Opportunities and Possibilities of Mushroom Cultivation in Bangladesh’.

Sunbd/NJ