Agriculture
Mushroom: Neglected Economic Crop
At the Faculty of Agriculture Teaching and Research Farm, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu, Port Harcourt in Rivers State lies an emerging and foremost mushroom and spawn production and research centre with the full potentials of catapulting the country into a world class mushroom producer, an internationally acclaimed and recognized money making crop, the mushroom.
Under a tripartite arrangement between the Niger Delta Developemnt Commission, Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt and Dilomat Farms and Services Limited in 2003, the Research Centre has been pioneering musroom production in Nigeria.
According to the chairman and chief executive officer of Dilomat Farms, Limited, Chief Moore Chinda in 2003, through research, he was able to scientifically produce the seed (Spawn) which grows the mushroom, a fact which he said prompted him to approach the former vice chancellor of the RSUST, Prof. Simeon Achinewu.
According to him, Prof Achinnewu appointed three other professors to collaborate with him after which his findings where confirmed which resulted to a space allocated to him at the University’s research farm premises.
“In 2003, we were able to get a break through in research activities and where able to discover what we call tissue culture” he beamed.
Chief Chinda who spoke with The Tide in an exclusive interview in his office in Port Harcourt, recently said his research on mushroom production was informed with a vision for national development and expressed the view that as an initiative from a Rivers State citizen, it was imperative for the state government to take the lead in mushroom production in Nigeria.
“The research on mushrooms in this country was embarked upon with a vision for national development and it is critical for Rivers State to pioneer mushroom development in this country, particularly in view of the nations’ march to the haven of Vision 202020.”
He explained that mushroom production does not require large acres of land as compared to other food and cash crops given the limited availability of arable land for the nation’s agricultural activities.
“In fact, considering our limited land mass for agricultural activities, mushroom production can be considered a sine qua non for a sustainable agricultural policy for Rivers State because in terms of the yield for any given space of land, there is no agricultural product to compare with mushrooms all over the world,” he said.
According to the Dilomat Farms boss, now that women empowerment was taking centre stage in terms of representation for them in the country, it was imperative that women be encouraged now to go into mushrooms production because of its emphasis on scientific methods as opposed to the crude methods of conventional farming among the women.
“The case for women empowerment is even more critical at this point in time when emphasis for greater representation for women is gaining momentum in the country.
“Mushroom production can be considered a veritable vehicle for women empowerment in the field of agriculture because of its scientific and refined nature and appeal, purged of the drudgery of our present conventional agricultural systems with hoes, machetes etc, he counseled.
Chief Chinda further explained that in mushroom production, job opportunities abound for all classes of people in the society including the reduction of poverty and youth restiveness and better health for the nation.
He emphasized that mushroom production could reduce the nation’s unemployment rate, improve agricultural output as well as boost the industrial development of the nation.
“The benefits of mushroom production include immense job opportunities for all classes of people in the society, amelioration of poverty and youth restiveness, better health for society, minimal gestation period of one week, improved workforce for the nation, better foreign exchange earnings for the nation, boost industrial development of the nation and minimal expenditure on waste disposal and environmental management.”
According to the mushroom expert farmer, virtually all the inputs for this venture of conversion of waste to wealth were locally and readily available agricultural and other waste products which serves as a better option for fertiliser for crops.
He said that research opportunities for universities and other institutions especially on tropical mushrooms was yet another benefit from the emerging mushroom industry in the country.
Chief Chinda advocated for the culture of mushroom consumption in the society as according to him, mushrooms does not only serve as source of food but medicinal in nature, especially for practitioners of vegetarianism.
“By installing a mushroom consumption culture in the diets of the rich and poor, the state would have taken an important step in the march to preventive rather than curative health care, especially in the realms of cancer, hypertension, obesity etc, in line with the MDG policy of the Federal Government.”
While describing mushroom production as the most versatile and prolific agricultural venture in the world, he expressed the fear that the main impediment to its mass production was the unavailability of a reliable source of spawn (seed).
According to chief Chinda, China came into limelight as a world producer of mushrooms through the introduction of what has come to be known today as the House hold Responsibility System (HRS) reforms in China.
“China now produces 8 million metric tons of mushrooms valued over 40 billion US dollars employing over 30 million people, a dramatic upsurge from the 60,000 metric tons before the reforms of 1978.”
He also revealed that Pennysylvania, regarded as the leading producer of mushrooms in the world employed over 10,000 people in 1975 who produced mushroom valued at 63.8 million US Dollars, adding that as at now, total world production of mushroom in 1997 amounted to 7 million metric tons which was valued over 30 billion US Dollars, and a phenomenal rise from 350 metric tons in 1965 and that the upward trend was still on the increase.
“In 1975, Pennysylvania the mushroom capital of the world gave employment to over 10,000 people producing mushroom valued at 63.8 million US Dallars,” he further revealed. Chief Chinda said so far, patronage and interest was low despite the recent passing out of some trainees sponsored by the Rivers State Government under the auspices of the Ministry of Women Affairs.
Chief Chinda further called on people from all works of life to embrace mushroom training which he said was for just few weeks.
He especially called on companies to avail themselves of the moderate amounts needed for training by encouraging and sponsoring indigenes of their host communities in mushroom cultivation training to enable them establish their own farms in the future.
This he said would go a long way in curbing youth restiveness in the rural communities.
“When you talk about the restive youths, this is a very good vehicle to be able to tackle the problem of youth restiveness,” he said.
He said government should be at the fore front towards the empowerment of the youths because according to him, what was being done in China and elsewhere in the world today was already in Nigeria.
“But we have not got much of assistance from government, if government fulfills most of their promises, what is being done in China or any of this countries, we already have the technology, we have the secret.
“If government believes passionately about mushroom we will be able to produce other products like mushroom milk, tablets and all other products which we import needlessly and of poor quality.”
Without over beating the issue about the importance of mushroom to the growth of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP, it is clear that mushroom business is big business.
Few individuals cannot do it alone. Its important to broaden the field so that like the pyramid the mushroom industry would grow, for according to Chief Chinda, “if government gets involved we may even call it gold one day,” he enthused.
This the farmers attributed to inadequate pest control facilities, lack of in-depth managerial skills, crisis, Climate control and other factors.
These were the observations of the farmers during the training of 6000 Cassava farmers and facility tour both at Fashola Agribusiness hub and Iseyin.
The training was coordinated by the African Agricultural Technology (AATF) Foundation and National Crops Research Institute, Umudike, Abia state, funded by Germany based Foundation.
The project coordinator of AATF, Samuel Ogunleye said the training has benefited the farmers immensely.
According to him, ‘the training is designed to benefit 6,000 Cocoa farmers in the 33 local government areas of the state.
‘The programme was incubated in 2023 but inaugurated in 2024. The programme has taken place in Ido and Ibarapa areas with the training of over 1,200 farmers.
‘Today similar programme is taking place here in Iseyin with over 2,000 farmers in attendance.
Farmers are being trained on how to increase their output as well gets it to the market through modern technology.
‘In Iseyin, there is a modern Cassava processor machine aimed at easing the processes.
‘The local farmers have access to the processor at a subsidize rate. Also, the foundation is assisting them at getting their products to the market”.
In his own presentation, the team leader, National Root Crops Research Institute, Dr. Adeyemi Olojede said the training was designed to address the decline in the
production of Cassava nationwide.
He said: ‘The training is designed for the off season in order to allow active participation of farmers.
‘Some of the challenges confronting the farmers are tabled while the solutions are proffered.
On the issue of funding, the University don blamed successive administrations in the Country for paying lip service to the sector.
According to him, the Research Institutes in the Country have not been able to access the Budget in the past five years.
The researchers are using their personal contacts to access funds from local and international organization to carry out research.
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State Chapter, has lauded the Federal Government’s approval of 57 crop varieties to strengthen agricultural productivity in the country.
The Lagos State AFAN Chairman, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, disclosed this in an interview with the Newsmen, Wednesday in Lagos.
Reports said that in March 2026, the Federal Government approved 57 new improved crop varieties to boost food security, improve nutrition, and strengthen agricultural productivity.
The crops, selected for early maturity, higher yields, and resistance to pests and diseases, include 14 different types of staples, with notable advancements in rice, maize, yam, soybean, and plantain.
Agbayewa noted the approval of the crop varieties would help improve the yields of farmers in the state.
“We are excited to hear about the 57 new varieties of crops recently approved.
“What we desire currently in crop farming is not just about planting, it is about increased yield.
“A farmer can have a plot of land and have a high yield and another can have big plots of land and have a low yield.
“So, if when are talking about food security, it starts from the varieties you are planting and it starts from the seedlings”, Agbayewa said.
He described the introduction of the crops as a new development for crop cultivation.
“This newly approved 57 crop varieties should however be popularised among local farmers because not everyone is aware of this latest development.
“There are lots of issues currently affecting the cultivation of crops and the development of improved crop varieties will help the farmer’s productivity.
“Issues such as climate change effects, inconsistent rainfall patterns and weather clash among others are affecting farmers’ yield,” he said.
Agbayewa said there should be massive advocacy of the approved crop varieties across the board for farmers, adding, “The government is now waking up to their responsibility. So, we are”
The event, with the theme “Aligning Science, Enterprise, and Policy to Scale Insect-based Feed Solutions,” brought together policymakers, researchers, regulators, private investors, and BSFL farming entrepreneurs to map out strategies for integrating insect protein into Nigeria’s agricultural system.
According to him, black soldier fly larvae can feed on organic waste including market and kitchen refuse and develop into high-protein feed within 10 to 14 days.
“It contains about 40 to 45 per cent protein, making it a viable alternative to some protein source feed ingredients in poultry, fish, and pig feed ration if produced sustainably” he said.
Amole noted growing interest from feed manufacturers, stressing that supply, not demand remains the major constraint
“The question now is who can produce at commercial scale,” he added.
He also highlighted Nigeria’s comparative advantage, citing its tropical climate and abundant organic waste, which support year-round production without the need for expensive temperature control systems.
He however emphasised the need for standardisation to ensure consistency in nutrient quality and safety across producers.
Also speaking, a Senior Scaling and Innovation Expert from the institutes ‘headquarters in Nairobi, Dr. Ijudai Jasada, identified fragmentation within the BSFL value chain as a major barrier to scale.
“We need a coordinated system that connects all actors and reduces inefficiencies,” he said.
Stakeholders at the Roundtable reached a consensus that ILRI should take the lead in establishing and championing a national platform on BSFL.
Jasada said plans are underway to establish a national coordination platform to improve collaboration, attract investment, and support long-term growth of the sector.
He said the goal is to integrate insect-based feed into Nigeria’s mainstream feed industry by 2030, while creating employment opportunities for women and youth.
On capacity development, Prof. Cordelia Ifeyinwa Ebenebe of Nnamdi Azikiwe University acknowledged ongoing training efforts by development partners and institutions but warned that Nigeria’s regulatory framework for insect-based feed remains underdeveloped.
She noted that standards are still evolving and are expected to align with benchmarks being developed by the African Organisation for Standardisation.
Similarly, Prof. Olugbenga Adeniran Ogunwole stressed the importance of safety assurance and regulatory clarity, warning that policy gaps could hinder large-scale adoption.
He identified key challenges, including variability in nutrient composition, digestibility concerns linked to chitin content, and relatively high production costs.
A BSFL producer, Mr. Kolawole Ogunleye, said large-scale production remains difficult due to limited access to equipment, financing, and infrastructure, adding, “The process is labour-intensive, and most of the equipment is still imported,” he said.
From the private sector, Mr. John Amole, Country Representative of New Generation Nutrition (NGN), described insect protein as a growing but still underutilised solution in Nigeria.
He noted that although insect meal has been approved as a feed ingredient, it has yet to gain widespread market acceptance.
“There is interest, but the ecosystem is still developing, and there are no guaranteed off-takers,” he said.
Sharing international experience, Ms Talash Huijbers of InsectiPro, Kenya, highlighted the success of circular economy models that convert organic waste into protein and fertiliser.
The roundtable concluded with key recommendations, including the establishment of a clear legal framework for insect-based feed, financial incentives for startups, standardised substrates, integration into national waste management systems, and increased funding for research and extension services.