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In spite of the potential benefits from mushroom production and consumption listed above,
Africa desperately lags behind in mushroom production and mushroom trade. World trade in
mushrooms and mushroom products is currently estimated at over US$30bn. Africa
contributes less than 1 % to this value, despite possessing so much biological waste. This
scenario needs urgent reversal, and mushroom production needs to be recognised as one
innovative approach that can contribute to the goals of economic growth, poverty reduction,
health improvement and women emancipation in Africa. Africa stands to learn from the
expansion of the mushroom industry in China. In 1978 China was an insignificant producer
of mushrooms. In 2002, it accounted for 70 % of the world's production.
Wild mushroom consumption and medicinal use is generally widespread in southern Africa.
Nonetheless, off-season mushroom cultivation is almost unknown. In some southern African
countries, a little mushroom production takes place, while in others the technology is almost
non-existent. Several factors contribute to this apathy or failure to seize upon these economic
opportunities, including:
- Lack of information on the economic and health benefits derivable from mushroom
farming. This dearth of information transcends communities, opinion leaders and
policy makers.
- Lack of trained research and extension personnel
- Poor market organisation and market linkages
- Lack of production skills
- Poor availability of affordable public spawn (=mushroom seed equivalent) for
distribution among farmers
- Poor sensitisation of entrepreneurs who could make private investment in the
mushroom industry
The deficiency of information partly arises from the fact that mushrooms are not integral
crops in the mandates of National Agricultural Research and Extension Services (NARES) in
most countries, thereby receiving no consideration whatsoever. This leads to a lack of trained
personnel and capacity in the NARES and academia to carry out mushroom research and
extension. Established grain and legume crops encourage self-sustaining seed industries,
whether they are commercial sales or farmer recycling practices. Mushroom production
among small-scale producers requires public support in the supply of spawn for two reasons:
Firstly, a very small emerging industry with poor perception (due to ignorance) by local
businesses does not attract private investment. Secondly, mushroom spawn manufacture and
storage require specialised techniques and conditions. The above factors necessitate project
support to kick start the mushroom industry, before it can be expected to survive by itself.
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