Bangladesh failing to exploit mushroom export potential
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CHATTOGRAM, Feb 05: Bangladesh is falling short of exploiting mushroom export potential due to its inability to harness this potential for lack of awareness and training, speakers have told a workshop.
The country endowed with a climate conducive to mushroom cultivation stands on the threshold of lucrative opportunity in global market, they said.
The daylong workshop on "Bangladesh's untapped potential in mushroom cultivation and subsequent export" was held at the Training Centre of TRY Women and Youth De_velopment Foundation at Sitakunda in Chattogram on Saturday.
The Women Entrepreneurs of Bangladesh (WEB) Foundation and Zamzam Mushroom Foods organised the workshop jointly.
Maryam Akhter Labonyalata, owner of Zamzam Mushroom Foods, delivered a keynote address at the workshop.
In her speech, Labonyalata, also a national award-winning mushroom entrepreneur, emphasised the suitability of Bangladesh's climate for mushroom cultivation, highlighting the vegetable's high demand in the global market due to its nutritional and medicinal properties.
Underscoring the staggering deficit in mushroom supply, she elaborated on the benefits from mushroom cultivation, noting its minimal requirement for agricultural land and absence of chemical fertilisers.
She emphasised the viability of vertical cultivation methods, offering substantial yields within small areas.
She lamented the lack of awareness and training at grassroots levels, hindering Bangladesh's ability to fully exploit the export potential.
Addressing the workshop, Rupa Ahmed, president of the WEB Foundation, highlighted his organisation's efforts to educate marginalised women in mushroom cultivation and the economic empowerment potential for women through mushroom cultivation and reiterated the importance of providing training to enhance their skills.
The workshop was concluded with the distribution of certificates and mushroom spawn to 30 participants, aiming to equip them with the necessary tools to embark on mushroom cultivation ventures.