LTCMushroom:
Dear Mushroomphiles

Weekly Golden Presentation

in "Mushroom File" WhatsApp Platform

Topic:

"Potential role(s) of mushroom cultivation in the diversification of Nigerian economy".

Prepared by: Dr Moyo Jolaoso

A retired Director from Research And Raw Materials Development Council, Abuja.

Thank you.


MF/WP/010/P1

TOPIC: POTENTIAL ROLE OF MUSHROOM CULTIVATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIAN ECONOMY.

Once again, as in the 1980s ie SAP era, Nigeria has been caught in the eternal cycle of BOOM&BURST, syndrome of an economy dependent on the exportation of a single primary commodity ie crude petroleum as a source of revenue.

The crude petroleum sale that went up to$120-140/barrel between 2010-2013,thereabout is currently sold below $50.

The huge petrol dollar was not properly harnessed, resulting in sharp shrinking of the economy.. To reflate the economy, the current administration is urgently looking for alternative revenue generating sources and a potential one is through mushroom cultivation, processing and marketing.



MF/WP/010/P2

The economic potential of mushroom cultivation in this direction can be summarized as follows :

(i) since mushroom cultivation is a labor intensive activity, it will therefore serve as a means of employment generation for the vulnerable segment of the society ie women, youth, physically disabled and the landless.
(ii) Agricultural wastes e.g cereal straws, food processing industrial wastes, which are usually burnt or thrown into water canals, thus causing air or water pollution can be used productively as mushroom production substrates ie bio-conversion, thus reducing environmental pollution...

(iii). Such bio-conversion activity yield organic fertilizer and biogas as by products , which can also be utilized for other farming purposes.

(vi) Proper organization of small scale producers in cooperatives can lead to a thriving cottage industry, thus bringing prosperity to the vulnerable group and consequently trigger off rural infrastructural development.


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V. Edible mushroom is cholesterol free, contains no fat or sodium, supplies nutritional fibre and a good source of Vitamin B complex. Mushroom therefore provides an additional vegetable of high quality which are of direct benefits to human health. Local cultivation and consumption therefore helps in shoring up the and nutritional security of the nation.

VI. There ample evidence to support the well established fact of the medicinal properties of mushroom. They are used extensively as dietary supplement/nutriceuticals, which are multi-billion dollar business through out the world.

Nigeria, through local production and processing of these special brand of Mushrooms can support them and tap into over $6billion business currently dominated by China, Korean and Japan.

Some health conscious Nigerians are currently consuming these products.

The local production will therefore curtail importation and consequently reduce the scare resources used for their importation.


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VII. The use of fungi mushroom as a tool for healing of soil (Myco-restoration), i.e to repair or restore weaken or damaged bio-system is currently gaining prominence world-wide.

Selective use of fungi/mushrooms to filter water, denature toxic waste, e.g oil pollution, is a world-wide practice.

Myco-pesticide is also used to control insect pests in organic farming or in integrated pests management system.

Local experts, i.e Mycologists and fungi/mushroom can be deployed in the current effort of environmental clean up in Ogoni- Land and other places in Nigeria Delta!




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Therefore, to realize the goal of making mushroom cultivation a significant factor in Nigeria Economic Development, the following are suggested:

~ More public awareness creation on the nutritional and medicinal values of mushroom. Is in addition is the promotion of mushroom cultivation as an attractive and lucrative business. The era of mushroom hunting for family or local consumption is gone.

~ Establishment of mushroom resource centres in 36 States of the Federation for training, advisory services and provision of spawns of good quality through tissue culture, etc.

~ Establishment of process and marketing centres.

~ Creation of productive synergy among research centres, other government facilitating agencies and the private sector through PPP arrangement to enhance development in Nigeria.

By 1978, China produced 5.7% of total world mushroom, and by 2002 it was producing 70% with about 30 million people involved directly or indirectly.

Nigeria can also do the same within the next 15 years.

Feel free to send your Questions, Comments or Clarification on today's presentation

Thank you for your participation

LTCMushroom:
Reasons why you can invest on
Oyster Mushroom production:

1. Oyster mushrooms grow easily on very inexpensive and locally available materials ranging from corn cobs, banana leaves, cotton wastes, rice straw, sawdust, paper, cardboard etc ..so it's a cool way to recycle agrowastes.

2. They sell for a high price in the market

3. We have got the best season to cultivate them now.

3. It's a unique kind of Agroventure

4.There are no many consistent cultivators in Nigeria thus there is little competition in the industry

5. They take very little investment in growing space to produce

6. They can be used as a cool and consistent supply of Carbon4Oxide for plants grown in greenhouses

7.They are the easiest mushroom to grow so it’s a good one to start with.

8. Their spent can be used to generate biogas to serve as green energy for use on farm and source of heat for sterilization process in mushroom production substrates and soil for growing plants

9. Spent mushroom substrates are also excellent source of microbes that are used as biocontrol agents to combat major plant diseases

10.Spent mushroom substrates can be reused for another cycle of mushroom cultivation and they are excellent organic amendments to boost crop production

11. And above all, mushroom serve medicinal and nutritional purposes. They have got protein content equivalent to that in MILK. They boost the overall body imune system and they prevent the body from various viral and bacterial diseases including cancer. They also prevent hypertension and diabetes.

To learn more about Mushroom Cultivation and Development in Nigeria join us on WhatsApp Group (08066226028) "Mushroom File"

LTCMushroom:
Thanks for your interest in mushrooms.

Mushroom cultivation is one of those business you need start small and grow big.

Many people have made that serious mistake, they invest heavily in what they know little about.

Mushroom market in Nigeria is something you need to grow gradually, unlike conventional fruits and vegetables you will need to source and develop your market.

Mushroom Cultivation business is about the fast agric venture from seed to harvest, you can start to harvest in 2 to 4 weeks of operation depending on type of mushroom you are farming.

Presently in Nigeria there is no coordination of bulk purchase from farmer who can't sell on their own. Therefore you plan your market with volume of your Production.

However, market is growing in Nigeria as Nigerians are getting awareness about the numerous benefits of mushrooms (nutritional, medicinal and environmental) and farming possibilities.