The National Mushroom Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria has called on the government to address challenges hindering growth in the mushroom subsector in the country. This would enable mushrooms producers to benefit from the products’ $45.3 billion global market. The association also advocated the inclusion of the subsector into the Anchor Borrowers’ Program of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
According to President of the Association Michael Awunor, the global demand for mushrooms has continued to increase significantly and reports by the Food and Agricultural Organization have shown that the global production hit 8.99 million tons in 2018.
Awunor added that the global market for mushrooms was also growing exponentially as the market was estimated at $45.3 billion in 2020 and projected to reach $72.5 billion by 2027. These statistics, he said, presented a lucrative and attractive option for Nigeria to key into mushroom production for economic diversification and job creation, adding that the medicinal and nutritional value would greatly enhance the wellbeing of her populace.
Source: economicconfidential.com