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Mushroom has immense potential to earn foreign exchange
ISLAMABAD-Production and trade of Mushroom has immense
potential to create an employment opportunities and earn
precious foreign exchange for the country.
At present this stuff has a share of $16 billion in global
business, said Tahir Rehman, Mushroom Programmer, National
Agricultural Research Council (NARC) while speaking in a PTV
programme on Febraurary 11, 2002.
He said, the individuals can adopt this profession with
manageable investment to earn big profit. Mushroom growers do
not need so much land, rather considerable production can be
achieved in little space.
Elaborating further he said, by cultivating mushroom in a room
sizing 8 x 12 feet an individual can earn Rs.25,000 per year
easily.
He said the industrial and agriculture wastes are used as
manures for the crops which are available in abundance in the
country.
It can be cultivated in plastic bags in a particular
temperature and moisture level, he said. He said Mushroom
plant is developed from a special foamy substance which is
produced in laboratories. Otherwise the crop has no seed, he
added.
Being very expensive and demanded stuff, mushroom has a
significant economic value he said adding the countries like
Taiwan are earning huge foreign exchange through its export.
He said NARC has conducted a lot of research and has developed
various kinds of mushrooms in the country. The farmers can
utilize the expertise of NARC to uplift
their economic conditions which will also help the country in
long run, he said.
To a question he said, significant quantity of mushroom is
grown naturally, particularly in mountainous areas where the
locals use it for business purpose.
He said the mushrooms growing in natural conditions have
various types with some of them having poisonous ingredients
which can inflict harm if used as food.
Those who want to adopt this business should consult the
department to have useful information, he advised. He said the
department is providing free technical assistance to the
farmers through conducting various types of courses.
Mushroom he said is a storable stuff which can be preserved
for a longer time after drying. It can be dried in sun shine
as well as in oven by keeping it in a temperature of 40 degree
centigrade for 16 hours.
He said besides being a delicious and hygienic food, mushrooms
have significant medicines value. The Chinese use it in a
number of medicines. Mushrooms also help eradicate many
diseases including high-sugar, blood pressure, cancer and
heart diseases, he informed.
February 16, 2002
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Pakissan.com;
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