ZCZC
BSS-46
RAZZAQUE-MUSHROOM
Steps taken to boost cultivation of mushrooms : Razzaque
DHAKA, June 6, 2021 (BSS) – Agriculture Minister Dr Md Abdur Razzaque today said work is underway to expand the cultivation of mushrooms across the country to take advantage of its potential.
“The possibility of cultivating mushrooms is very high in the country. This possibility must be used to the maximum level. Improved varieties and cultivation techniques of mushrooms have already been invented. The work is underway to adopt development projects,” he said.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a view exchanging meeting with mushroom farmers and entrepreneurs at the Mushroom Development Institute in Savar.
Mentioning that there is a lot of potentials for mushrooms, he said if its cultivation can be expanded and popularized, it can play a big role in the economy of Bangladesh.
There are millions of educated unemployed youth in the country who are trying to find jobs, he said, adding that if they become entrepreneurs through training, local and international markets for mushrooms will be created.
Besides, mushrooms are highly nutritious and will easily meet the nutritional needs of the people, he added.
With Director General to the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE)Md Asadullah in the chair, State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman was present in the meeting.
Additional Secretary (Extension) of the Ministry of Agriculture Md Hasanuzzaman Kallol , Savar Upazila Chairman Manjrul Alam Rajib and Municipal Mayor Abdul Gani also attended it, among others.
According to the Mushroom Development Institute, at present, about 40,000 metric tons of mushrooms are being produced in the country every year with a financial value of around Taka 800 crore.
About one and a half lakh people have been involved in the production and marketing of mushrooms and mushroom products.
The Mushroom Development Institute has so far brought 162 varieties of mushrooms from abroad to the country and they have developed technologies suitable for cultivation in the country.
It has also collected 140 varieties from the hills and forests of the country.
In addition, modern labs have been set up at the institute for quality control and quality assurance.
The lab is diagnosing the nutritional and medicinal properties of vitamins and minerals of mushrooms.
BSS/PR/SRH/KU/1953 HRS