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Mushroom industry in Pakistan: Problems, progress and prospects

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DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.24748.05763

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Mushroom

Mushroom industry in Pakistan:

Mushroom (fleshy, spore bearing fruiting body ) of a fungus,
Problems, progress and prospects
 The term mushroom generally used for gilled fungi, with or without stems, and
describe some Ascomycota and the woody or leathery fruiting bodies of some
Basidiomycota.
By
Forms deviating from the standard morphology usually have more specific names,
Aqleem Abbas such as puffball, stinkhorn, morel and gilled mushrooms themselves are often called
agarics in reference to their similarity to Agaricus or their place Agaricales.

By extension, the term "mushroom" can also designate the entire fungus when in
culture; the thallus (called a mycelium) of species forming the fruiting bodies called
mushrooms; or the species itself.

Department of Plant Pathology, The

University of Agriculture, Peshawar (Wikipedia)
Pakistan

Naturally found on heaps and dump places like fields, woods, forests, water
The mushrooms are sometimes termed as fungus flowers, due to their lovely
channels, manure heaps, bunds and on grassy grounds or in the plains,
shapes and colors.
mountainous and coastal areas, mostly during the rainy season or round an year,
when ever environment is favorable.
These also commonly known as gilled mushrooms, pore fungi, tooth fungi,
club fungi, smooth fungi, puff balls, stink horns, jelly fungi, cup fungi, earth
The majority of mushrooms are unattractive for eating because of poor flavor,
stars, bird’s nest fungi, boletus (bolets), morels, truffles and toadstool.
taste, texture or small size or sometimes due to unattractive color and shape
(commonly called inedible).
Every mushroom is consists of small root like structure (rhizoids) at the base
of long stipe (stem), mostly bear pileus (cap) of different colors.
Many mushrooms are poisonous to some people and harmless to other, but some
mushrooms are edible; and a few are not only edible, but delicious too.
The upper surface of cap is rough or smooth but its lower surface bears the
gills (partitions) or pores, which produces microscopic spores that serve as a
people have eaten them regularly in quantity with no ill effect; are used by more
mean of reproduction and develop mycelium on germination, which convert in
than 200 different methods, may be cooked alone as well as with vegetables, meat,
to the fruiting body called mushrooms, having a form of plant life, without
fish etc., and are used for making soups, pies and curries; mushroom ketchup,
green coloring matter.
sandwiches and sauce.

(Khan and Khatoon, 1982).

Boletus Inedible: Amanita pantherina

Morels

1

Benefits of Mushrooms
Mushrooms are considered as the source of Proteins, Vitamins, Fats,
Carbohydrates, Amino acids and Minerals.
The protein value of the mushrooms is twice as that of Asparagus and potatoes,
four times as that of tomatoes and carrots, six times as that of oranges.
The protein content determined on the dry weight basis approximately varies
between 4 to 44%.
The mushrooms contain thiamin; riboflavin, niacin, biotin and ascorbic acid, all
are essential for human health.
 The most common fats, available in different mushrooms are palmitic, steric,
oleic and linoleic acids.
Many mushrooms have high sterol, especially ergo-sterol content. Ergosterol is a
provitamin form of Vitamin D.
Rambelli and Menini (1985),
The mixture of mushrooms has been used for healing purposes for thousands
of years.
 The mushrooms are mainly recommended to diabetic and anemic persons,
owing to their high folic acid content.
Some are demonstrated as an antibiotic activity others are reputed to be anti-
allergic and some are used for soft and comfortable surgical dressing while
some are used for anesthesia.
Some mushrooms are used as a powder or tincture for swollen glands,
epilepsy and against various diseases.
Mushroom extract also inhibits the growth of some viruses like influenza.
Cardiotoxic proteins are present in different edible mushrooms, which lower
the blood pressure, and are also active against tumor cells and are anti cancer .
(Cochran, 1978).
10/14/2016
Volvariella volvacea contains 206.27 mg of vitamin C per 100 mg of fresh
fruiting body.
The carbohydrate content varies from 3 to 28 %, as xylose, ribose, rhamnose,
glucose, sucrose and mannitol etc. the later sugar seems to be the most
abundant.
The mineral content is superior to that of meat and fish, nearly twice as that
of the most commonly used vegetables.
Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and potassium are supplied
abundantly and there is also a fair quantity of iron, potassium, sodium,
magnesium, manganese, chlorine, silicon, sulfur and aluminum, which are also
found in different mushrooms.
The energy value of mushrooms also varies according to species, which is
about equal to that of an apple.
(Khan, 1986).
Some mushrooms are mycorrhizal, used for establishment of forests, to
improve the soil fertility, for reclamation and for introduction of exotic plant
species;
others are predatory and are used as bio control agent and others as
pesticide.
Some mushrooms also known as condiment, cleaning detergent, tinder,
snuff, dyeing, luminescent, painting and writing material (as ink), ornamental
(as show piece) depending upon use.
 Mushrooms are objects of beauty for Artists. Architects have constructed
minarets, temples and cupola columns in their shapes.
 Jewelers have made expensive pieces on mushroom designs .
(Jiskani, 2003).
2

Basic requirements for a mushroom growth
Temperature: The heating and cooling system can regulate the
temperature as per requirement.
Humidity: Near about all types of mushrooms grow well with in
range of 80-95% humidity that could be arranged with the help of
desert room cooler and or sprinkling water near the mushroom beds.
Light: Most of the mushrooms grow well at normal natural light but
oyster mushroom needs regular light that could be arranged through
tube lights.
Additional: Walls, ceiling, benches and flooring: Concrete flooring
with good drainage would be the best, otherwise, must be made with
such type of a material that can be washed and withstand high
humidity.
(Jiskani, 1999 and 2001).
Assets required for Mushroom cultivations
Land and climate play a minimal role in mushroom cultivation and this feature
makes the enterprise particularly suitable for farmers with limited land, as well as
the landless (Natural assets).
People draw upon formal and informal resources to help meet their livelihood
objectives, including networks and support from families, friends, organizations
and membership of groups, such as mushroom growers associations (Social
assets).
(FAO, 2009)
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Mushroom culture and spawn: The best spawn can be prepared on
sorghum grain but other cereal grains as well as all agricultural and
industrial wastes can also be used.
Substrate / Growing medium: different agricultural and or industrial
straw wastes can be used for cultivation of mushrooms. mostly, the wheat,
paddy, barley, oat and gram straw, banana, sugarcane and maize leaves,
empty millet heads and corn cobs, cotton waste, thin sticks and boll
locules, sugarcane baggage, banana pseudostems, saw dust, logs, straw
papers, manure etc. can be used as substrate (medium) for cultivation.
 Pakistan is an agricultural country; therefore a huge quantity of the
crop wastes is easily available at low cost, which could be converted in to
edible mushrooms, by using separately or in combination.
Wheat straw for compost
(Jiskani, 1999 and 2001).
Mushrooms are not labor intensive and can be undertaken as an
additional livelihood activity which fits around other household or
productive tasks (Human assets).
Transport and communication infrastructure, clean water, a source
of energy, and buildings for shelter and storage (Physical assets).
Mushroom cultivation is attractive for the resource-poor. initial
financial outlay to establish a basic cultivation system need not be
very great(Financial assets).
3
 10/14/2016

Edible Mushrooms
Types of Mushrooms

Edible Mushrooms Mushrooms are used extensively in cooking, in many cuisines,

(Notably Chinese, Korean, European and Japanese).
Toxic/Poisonous Mushrooms
 Though neither meat nor vegetable, mushrooms are known as the
Psychoactive Mushrooms meat of the vegetable world.

Medicinal Mushrooms Edible mushrooms are as; Agaricus bisporous , Shiitake, maitake or
Enoki hen of the woods, oyster and enoki.

(Haas and James, 2009).

maitake
Shiitake
(Haas and James, 2009)
Agaricus bisporous oyster

Toxic/Poisonous Mushrooms
Many mushroom species produce secondary metabolites that can
be toxic, mind-altering, antibiotic, antiviral, or bioluminescent.
Toxic mushroom consist of Latin American death cap, Eastern
North American destroying angel, death cap, Ergot etc.
Psychoactive mushrooms
Mushrooms with psychoactive properties have long played a role in
various native medicine traditions in cultures all around the world.
They have been used as sacrament in rituals aimed at mental and physical
healing, and to facilitate visionary states. E.g. Psilocybin mushrooms
(Psychedelic mushrooms) contains psychedelic compounds such as
psiolocybin and psilocin.

 Also known as magic mushrooms and shrooms. It is used as recreational

drugs which altered thinking process. Some stop migraine head ache.

death cap
Ergot
Latin American death cap
Eastern North American destroying angel, Hudler GW. (2000).
Freshplaza.com Psilocybe semilanceata

4
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Table 1: Key mushroom species and their corresponding cultivation

medium
Medicinal mushrooms

Some mushrooms or extracts are used or studied as possible treatments

for diseases such as cardiovascular disorders.

Some mushroom materials including polysaccharides, glycoproteins

and proteoglycans are under basic research for their potential to boost
immune system and other mushrooms inhibit tumor growth.

Some mushrooms have potential antiviral, antibacterial, antiparasitics,

antiinflammatory and antidiabetics properties. E.g. Ganoderma lucidum

Borchers et al. (2008).

Ganoderma lucidum

Table 2: Key mushroom species and their corresponding Edible mushrooms in Pakistan
cultivation medium
In Pakistan only three types, namely, button, oyster and straw mushrooms
are commercially cultivated.

Oyster mushroom

The oyster mushroom (Pleurotus spp.) is amongst most important

commercially grown mushrooms, now a day in competition with button
mushroom.

 This mushroom resembles the shape of shellfish, therefore mostly known as

oyster mushroom in English, Sipi Khumbhi in Sindhi and Sadafnuma Khumbhi
in Urdu; also called as wood mushroom, dhingri, henda, kharari, shooto, meat of
the forest etc,

It is consumed as a fresh as well as dried.

(Rao, 1991).

5

Most of the Pleurotus spp. are easy to cultivate, need less expenses and care than
all other artificially cultivated mushrooms.
Best spawn can be prepared on sorghum (jowar) and other cereal grains.
Mostly the wheat, paddy, barley, oat and gram straw, banana, sugarcane and maize
leaves, empty millet heads and corn cobs, cotton waste, small and thin sticks and
boll locules, sugarcane baggage, banana pseudostems, saw dust, logs, waste news
papers, manure etc. are used separately or in combination as substrate (medium) for
cultivation.
Button /European Mushroom
The white mushrooms, resembling with the shape of button are mostly
known as button mushroom, but as these are naturally grown in meadow,
therefore are called meadow mushrooms, also known as European mushroom,
town or street mushroom in Europe.
 These are largely grown and greatly consumed throughout the world with
almost 80 percent share among growing mushrooms.
The button mushroom is difficult to cultivate, need many more expenses and
long time than other artificially cultivated mushrooms.
Rice husks or wheat grains found to be the best for spawn preparation, but
needs different types of composts with different compositions for cultivation.
(Raven and Johnson, 1992).
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Straw /Chinese mushroom
 The straw mushroom (Volvariella volvaceae) grow best on paddy straw,
therefore are called straw or paddy straw mushrooms.
 Perhaps it was first time identified as edible, greatly consumed by Chinese and
its cultivation was started in China, therefore is also known as Chinese
mushroom, tributary mushroom or nanhua mushroom.
 This mushroom stood third popular mushroom, can be consumed as fresh as
well as dried.
 Different agricultural and industrial straw waste, recommended for the
cultivation of oyster mushroom, can be used for spawn preparation and
cultivation, but remember that the paddy straw
The wastes includes vegetable and animal material, forest litter, remains
of stubbles and roots in the soil, sludge, animal manure etc.
 However, this mushroom can be grown successfully in cellars, garages
and in any abandoned room.
The cultivation in mushroom growing houses by mean of tray system
proved to be best.
Casing is another exercise, which is also compulsory during cultivation
process. Casing means the covering of compost with a thin layer of soil or
soil like composted material after the spawn has spread in the compost.
6

Oak /Shiitake mushroom(Lentines edodes)
This mushroom can also be grown but the logs of oak or sawdust is
required for its cultivation.
As the log of oak is too costly in Pakistan or not easily available, therefore
its cultivation is restricted.
The spawn is mixed in the same way but when the logs are used to raise the
crops the holes are made in the logs and then spawn is put in these holes.
China is the world's largest edible mushroom producer. The country
produces about half of all cultivated mushrooms, and around 2.7
kilograms (6.0 lb) of mushrooms are consumed per person per year by
over a billion people .
(All business.com).
10/14/2016
World production and Consumption of Mushroom
World production of mushroom is growing and Now mushroom
is being cultivated in more than 100 countries of the world and the estimated
total production is over 12 million tons. Agaricus bisporus accounts for
most of this production.
 Globally, mushrooms are traded mostly in processed form. However,
lately fresh mushrooms are being preferred over preserved ones in EU and
American countries.
Major exporting countries of fresh mushrooms are Netherlands, Poland,
Ireland and Belgium.
China is the largest exporter of preserved mushrooms with a market share
of 41.82%. Netherlands (25.11%) and Spain (7.37 %) are the other major
countries.
The major importing countries of prepared and preserved mushrooms are
Germany, USA and France while of fresh mushrooms are U.K, Germany, USA
and France.
(FAO, 2013)
The production of mushrooms is increasing rapidly throughout the world,
which is available all round the year and is used in many kinds of dishes.
Button mushroom ( spp.) is the most popular mushroom variety grown and
consumed the world over.
Its production earlier was limited to the winter season, but with technology
development, these are produced almost throughout the year in small,
medium and large farms, adopting different levels of technology.
 The species being grown in most farms is the white button mushroom
belonging to class Basidiomycetes and family Agaricaceae .
The white button mushrooms or crimini or portabella or portobello
mushrooms have commercial value.
(Jaskani, 2005 ; Nhb. 2010).
7

Production of Mushroom in Pakistan
There are thousands of varieties of mushrooms throughout the world, out of
them 2,500 species are identified as edible and only 20 of them are popular.
The white button mushrooms or crimini or portabella or portobello
mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus), have commercial value.
The people of Sindh, mostly of the desert and mountain (Thar and
Kohistan) areas are familiar with the local desert mushroom, commonly
known as Khumbhi.
 The people of the hilly areas of Gilgit Baltistan, Kashmir, NWFP and
Punjab are familiar with black morels.
White umbrella type mushroom locally known as Khamiri is also eaten by
people of Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab.
(Dawn news; 2007)
Natural Distribution of Mushroom in Pakistan
 Mushroom grow naturally in the temperate forests of Pakistan, including
Dir, Chitral, Mingora and Kalam (Swat), Kohistan, Tirah, Kurram Agency,
Mansehra, Murree, Margalla Hills, Bagh and Chakoti (Azad
Jamu & Kashmir), Gilgit Baltistan, Quetta, Zayarat and Zhob (Baluchistan).
The altitudinal limits for mushrooms ranges from 1,800 to 3,000 meters
above sea level.
 Some of the amount also comes from Afghanistan through Para Chinar, which
are known as Mazarey Mushrooms. They are of inferior quality and smaller
height.
 In most of the plain areas of Pakistan, local people through their indigenous
knowledge use them.
(Rehman, et. al. 2000)
temperate forests
10/14/2016
The best quality mushrooms available in Pakistan are the oyster mushroom, the white
mushroom, the golden oyster mushroom, the phoenix (grey) oyster mushroom and the
pink oyster mushroom. These strains grow all over the country, and are available usually
after the monsoon season.
production of mushrooms touches approximately 1.5 million tons in the world,
while about 90 tons of mushrooms are exported to Europe from Pakistan every year.”
In 1998-99 Pakistan exported some 79 tonnes mushroom the value of which was $ 4.49
million.
 In 2013, The yield and gross return of mushroom was estimated at 155.6 kg ha and
Rs.77,800 ha , respectively.
earning a foreign exchange of $ 6.90 million.
(Express tribune, 2012 ; Tahir and Hussan, 2013).
More than 70% of mushrooms are produced in Kpk.
Some people are going for cultivation of mushrooms in the areas of Punjab
(Fiasalabad), Kpk and Azad Jammu & Kashmir.
Local people (children 54%, women 24%, men 22%) collect them in fresh form
from the forests.
(Iqbal, 1991).
Mushrooms are normally exported to France, UK, Italy, Switzerland, and
Dubai etc.
Fifty six edible species of mushrooms are reported from Pakistan..
Unfortunately because of over collection, urbanization and deforestation some
of species are threatened of extinctions.
Sultana et al. (2007)
8

Sultana et al. (2007)
Button mushrooms are fairly rich in vitamins and minerals.
 The mushroom contains an especially high amount of vitamin B and
potassium.
Raw mushrooms are naturally cholesterol, fat, and sodium free.
Five medium sized button mushrooms added together only have 20
calories.
The mushrooms can be cultivated in green houses, growth chambers,
ditches, caves, huts, hovels, cottages, garages, sheds or shelters, bee hive
shaped huts, thatched or meted roofs, thick tree groves and gardens,
kitchens, bathrooms or other extra rooms of a house or any other vacant
building
Jiskani (1999) ; (Dawar (2008)
10/14/2016
Economic Importance of Mushroom Production in Pakistan
 The economic importance of the mushroom lies primarily in its use
as food for human consumption.
Mushrooms are highly proteinaceous and are used as food. The white
button mushroom is sold as fresh mushroom or is canned and made into
soups, sauces and other food products.
 Protein in mushrooms have 60-70% digestibility and contains all the
essential amino acids.
 It has medicinal properties also. A high amount of retene is present in
the button mushroom which is supposed to have an antagonistic effect on
some forms of tumors.
(Nhb. 2010).
Status, Prospects and Significance of Mushrooms Industry In Pakistan
Different agricultural and/or industrial straw wastes can be used for
cultivation of mushrooms.
 Mostly the wheat, paddy, barley, oat and gram straw, banana, sugarcane and
maize leaves, empty millet heads and corn cobs, cotton waste, manure etc., can
be used as substrate (medium) for cultivation.
As Pakistan is an agricultural country, therefore a huge quantity of the crop
waste is easily available at low cost, which could be converted into edible
mushrooms by using separately or in combination.
 Its cultivation in Pakistan is in its teething stage and its pace of development is
very slow because of the insufficient public and private sector support.
Jiskani (1999)
9

Mushrooms cultivation has tremendous potential although, at present only
some wild types are eaten by rural folk, modern technology however, has made it
possible to grow them under control and semi-control conditions.
Nature has gifted Pakistan with variety of environmental conditions suitable for
their cultivation from sea level to high mountains, where different types can easily
be grown round the year.
 The species , Agaricus rodmani Amanita nano, Inocybe ceophylla Lepiota
procera Phellorina inguinence and Podoxis pistillaris are grown in
Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw of mountainous Swat valley
and Murree hilly areas.
These areas are suitable for growing white button mushroom. A. mushroom is
very common in the rural areas of Sindh, a white umbrella type known as is also
consumed by the local inhabitants of Balochistan, Sindh and the Punjab.
(Pakpost, 2005).
In Pakistan, profitable cultivation of button mushroom requires closer
attention, experience and skill.
If it is developed as a cottage industry in villages and on business lines, near
towns and cities, the delicacy can become a common diet item to provide cheap
source of proteins, vitamins and other nutrients.
It is necessary to take proper steps to popularize and use of edible
mushroom as the items of food and export.
 Different interventions and experiments have been conducted
which are assumed to improve the livelihood of poor low income farmer groups.
(Tahir and Hussan, 2013)
10/14/2016
In Pakistan, nature has gifted favorable environmental conditions with a
huge quantity of waste material required for obtaining beneficial food and
efficient medicine through artificial cultivation of straw mushroom.
No doubt, the most easy and economical mushroom cultivation technology is
also developed by the scientists but still the nation is consuming/ depending
only up on the mushroom grown naturally
(Jiskani, 2005).
A mushroom based industry would not only increase job opportunities in
rural areas, but consumption of the product would also improve the diet and
health of its citizens..
The mushroom industry is a truly international, extremely diverse, and
culturally driven market.
For adoption of more sophisticated and well-organized practices to raise
mushrooms to commodity crop level needs costs for start-up and research.
 comprehensive public-private partnership is required that incorporates
the research capabilities of the Universities, the educational/training capabilities
and facilities of post secondary institutions, and the willingness of entrepreneurs
to invest in mushroom production facilities
10

A variety of demographic and technological trends have occurred that have a
potential impact on the continued growth of mushroom consumption in the
Pakistan.
They include: a large and growing population, an increased interest in home
entertainment and cooking as recreation, as well as more health conscious
consumers demanding organic food products.
Finally, the ability to market, sell and distribute specialty food items will be
common.
Further, the positive economic impact of a mushroom industry could be increased
if the value added aspects of such an industry were maximized.
The cultivation of mushrooms has the potential to produce a commercially
successful crop, create jobs, and assist with the process of turning waste products
into profitable agriculture for Pakistan.
For its success there must be a network of mushroom researchers, growers,
distributors, and spawn makers to stimulate mushroom production.
10/14/2016
This includes the use of agricultural by-products from the spent substrate, or
mushroom growing medium, development of firms that use mushrooms in
products, e-commerce, tourism and festivals, and use mushrooms in the
pharmaceutical industry.
These endeavors will further assist with the creation of much needed
additional job opportunities in rural.
Factors associated with the success of this industry must include a large,
growing, and diverse population that has familiarity with mushrooms and
agricultural by- products necessary for substrate and mushroom production.
Market for Mushrooms in Pakistan
 Market for Mushrooms is growing rapidly in Pakistan because of their nice
aroma, nutritious value, flavor and special taste.
Many exotic food preparations like soup, vegetables, pickles etc are made from
mushrooms.
But the mushrooms are still considered as up-market product and their
consumptions is limited to urban and semi-urban areas.
Fresh mushroom have very limited shelf life but processed and canned
mushrooms have fairly long shelf life and can be sold even at far off places.
The product can be sold even through departmental stores, supermarkets and the
Agricultural Universities.
PARC, 2014
11
 10/14/2016

In Pakistan the biggest supplier markets are Kohsar market and super Main Problems for Mushroom Production in Pakistan
market.

As for its cultivation, Mushroom did not necessarily require land or soil. “It
can be grown in small houses. Production
Problems
In a room of just 10 square metres, the yield could be more than 150 kg a Marketing
week, and at a price of Rs600 per kg, it could generate a profit of Rs 90,000 a problems
week.”

The production of per-square meter of mushrooms is 10 to 15 kg. Technical

Problems

Awareness
problems

(The Express Tribune, 2015)

Production problems

 Mushroom is a new crop in Pakistan and most of the farmers are facing many Excessive rain during composting can cause the compost to be improperly
problems. cured.

Insect pest destroy mushroom spawn. The main reason is that dark place is Periods of excessive heat and humidity make it difficult to maintain
required for mushroom production and most of the insect pest also like that temperatures inside the house at the levels necessary to produce a good yield.
environment and thus they eat mushroom spawn.

 high temperature hinders mushroom production, Excessive cold could be more of a problem for smaller growers who do
not have state-of-the-art facilities.
faced virus, fungus and germ problems
For shitake mushroom which is grown on logs, wind storms and heavy snows
they faced capital problem. can cause yield losses by damaging the mushroom house.

Baurecracy, politics, misuse of funds

Corruptions, weak Govt. policies.
cockroaches
(Economic Research Service, USDA, 1995 ), Er.Pratibha et al. (2013)

12
 10/14/2016

Bacterial Diseases: The major bacterial diseases affecting mushrooms are

Sciarid flies , Cockroaches, springtails and phorid flies are the major
insect pests of mushrooms.
The phorid fly does not feed on or damage the crop directly, but carries the
verticillium virus, which can cause yield losses.
bacterial blotch and mummy disease.
Bacterial blotch (Pseudomonas tolaasii) causes brown or golden-brown blotches
or lesions to form on the mushrooms .
Mummy disease (Pseudomonas var.) can begin developing two to three weeks
before harvest. The disease causes mushrooms to die and dry up, or mummify.

Viruses are less of a problem for mushroom growers than for other vegetable
producers. LaFrance disease is the main viral infection affecting mushrooms,
and its presence has diminished in recent decades.

phorid flies
Sciarid flies , (Economic Research Service, USDA, 1995 ), Er.Pratibha et al. (2013)

Many of the fungi that affect mushroom production are soil-borne. They are
spread through dust, insects, equipment, and on pickers' clothing.
Table 3: Fungal diseases of Mushrooms
Verticillium fungicola causes brown spots on mushrooms, downgrading their
quality and value.

Green mold (Trichoderma harzianum) is new problem to mushroom industry.

Dactylium mildew occurs under conditions of high humidity in mushroom

houses when outside conditions are humid and temperatures are mild.

Lipstick is a red fungus that contaminates compost and can sometimes remain
active even after pasteurization

In addition to these, the producers also faced high price of raw materials,
difficulty of loan process, land scarcity and good mother spawn problems in
mushroom cultivation.

13
 10/14/2016

Technical problems

Marketing problems
Shortage of Air cooling systems.

 Lack of access to available market facility where to sell the product. Shortage of Labors

Producers could not sell directly their products to retailers. The main Power Shortages
reason is the communication gap and lack of awareness about
mushroom. Lack of Trainings and workshops

There are advertising problems and lack information about mushroom

production. Lack of modern technology

Lack of interest of experts.

Transportations problems
Lack of mushrooms research labs

Lack of extension education

Awareness problems
lack of storage facilities like processing units, cold storage,
refrigerated transport etc are also one of the deterrents. Lack of Mushroom’s Education

consumers have no knowledge about mushroom consumption and its

mushroom need a lot more than interim infrastructural facilities. medicine and nutritional values.

It needs a synergy between various segments such as production centers,

pre-cooling units, cold storages and export processing units or export
processing zones and more so the ultimate consumers.
Lack of regular spawn and substrate supply.
Only the urban residents had sufficient knowledge about mushroom
medicinal and nutritional value and the number of consumers in urban area is
significantly increasing.
Mushrooms are not popular in Pakistan.

 Both producers and consumers are not aware of its intrinsic worth.

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lack of Awareness: This can be overcome by organizing campaigns, training
programmed, workshops, propagating its virtues through media etc.
Being highly perishable, lack of immediate access to markets is a major
bottleneck in mushroom farming.
 The seasonality and wide fluctuation in collection results into erratic
procurement and supply. The collection therefore may be organized by farming
co-operatives or by NGOs/Traders.
Food preferences
Reasons of Popularity of mushroom among small farmers
 It requires relatively less time to grow and harvest mushroom.
White button mushroom can be harvested within 3 months and oyster
mushroom can be harvested within 1 to 2 months.
Hence farmers can earn profits within short time.
 This farming can be done with less investment. The farmers can decide to
grow according to the amount they can invest.
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lack of local people awareness about collection and processing techniques;
lack of proper market knowledge and access
lack of interest of government for its cultivation in the suitable areas;
 Involvement of 54% children in collection and processing of different
mushrooms itself narrate the whole picture.
The role of women during various processes of mushrooms preparation and
marketing is neglected. They are deprived from their respected benefit.
70% decrease in export of mushrooms shows the unsustainable harvesting by
the local people.
Government is not delivering subsidies to mushroom farmers.
Lack of funds and resources
 The farming is concentrated around urban centers because of transportation
and market access.
 Since it is perishable good, it has to be brought to market within fixed time
depending upon the type of mushroom.
Though rest of country has equally appropriate climatic condition, it has not
spread to these areas because of difficulty in market access.
Storage and preservation technology is not much developed. The consumption
in rural areas is almost zero.
 With lack of good transportation network, access to market becomes a
challenge. Because of this too, mushroom farming appears to be concentrated in
villages near to cities.
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Challenges for Mushroom Production in Pakistan
i. There has been a lesser amount of study and research by government
sectors or other private organization.
ii. No policies have been yet formulated for mushroom farming.
iii. It is not yet recognized as commodity by horticulturist. It has been placed
under Plant pathology division because it is a fungi and fungi is one of the
disease causing agent in crops.
iv. Due to lack of good transportation network, market access is big challenge.
Production of any kind of mushroom will first require development of road
network.
v. Also the market is mainly limited to urban centers only. Lack of linkage also
acts as hurdle to technology transfer.
ix. There is also lack of awareness among consumers regarding the
nutritional and medicinal value of mushroom. Due to this, there is
no demand of high value mushrooms, and hence there is no supply.
x. Lack of coordination between mushroom farmers and Mushroom
researchers.
xii. The export of mushroom has not gained much interest from
businessmen either.
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vi. Currently mushrooms which are produced by producers fail to compete at
international market.
vii. The farmers are also receiving less training. Many farmers are afraid to start
mushroom farming because they do not have knowledge about investment, profits
and loss that may be involved in this.
viii. Many mushroom farmers also have incomplete knowledge because of which they
consider this farming as gambling and its production to be determined by fate.
ix. Producers often find themselves helpless when diseases spread in their farm.
Conclusion
 With more research, there is possibility to produce many high value
mushrooms, from which local people can be benefited economically.
 The main challenge lies in carrying out thorough research.
 The private agencies and Agriculture Universities involved do not have
adequate fund and government has not given much importance to this area yet.
There is however growing optimism among farmers of urban areas about
mushroom production.
 The farmers further need assurance that they will not have to bear loss.
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There is also need to promote marketing of mushroom along

with production.

The consumers should be made aware about different kinds of

mushroom, their nutritional and medicinal values to create
demand of mushroom.

Also the farmers need to have easier access to loan at reasonable

rate of interest.

With subsidies, farmers may be encouraged to take risks too.

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