DA-CAR Encourages Local Agri-Industry to Grow Mushrooms

Department of Agriculture -Cordillera (DA-CAR) encourages the local community to invest in the mushroom industry due to its rapidly high demand in the market.

In a two-day hands-on training on mushroom production of the DA-CAR held at the Cordillera Integrated Agricultural Research Center, Baguio Animal Breeding Research Center Cmpd. Dontogan, Baguio City last July 20 & 21, lectures and actual mushroom production activities were brought out to the participants of the said event.

Mr.Wilfredo Tabugader,Focal Person - DA-Community Based Mushroom Production Project (CBMPP) said that “There are only few producers of mushroom found here in the region and there is a big room to be filled because of the high demand for this agricultural product.”

According to Phil Statistics Authority (PSA), an approximate estimate of 90 percent of Mushroom products is being imported and only 10 percent of it is locally produced here in the country and 1% comes from Cordillera.

Tabugader added that Baguio-Benguet has favorable weather conducive to grow mushrooms naturally which makes production cost low without compromising its quality and nutrient contents.

It was discussed that growing mushroom does not require an individual to be an agriculturist to be able to produce good quality mushrooms. Ample knowledge in mushroom production process and management would be enough to equip the people to take part of the benefits that the industry offers.

Mushroom production does not require a large space to begin with, it can be done with a small area and materials available at the comfort of an individuals’ home such as fruit bags housing, incubation room, working area, and pasteurization shed. Substrate materials like strings (hanged mushroom), sawdust, rice straw, corn cobs, banana leaves, rice bran and other dried plant debris are cheap, abundant and considered as farm waste or garbage.

The continued growth in demand of mushroom is seen to be an effect of the health benefits that it provides to the consumers.

Aside from the unique and rich taste that it provides to dishes being served in homes and business establishments, vast research shows that mushroom could be alternative source of protein instead of meat which has high calories, cholesterol and fats

Mushroom is also said to low the risk of having cancer, heart diseases, anemia, and other diseases.

DA-CAR regards mushroom production with a very high economic value and a promising industry with a strong potential providing employment to community.

Lecturers and key speakers during the hands-on training on mushroom production include; Felimer P. Felix, DA – Lab tech II; and Evangeline T. Balderama, Asst. Focal Person, CBMPP