CLSU Mushroom Production
(by Remegio A. Mercado, NEDA  8/14/2009)

Brief Importance of the Technology

The steady popularity of mushroom products in the Philippines is attributed to some motivators. Firstly, mushroom has proven its place in the Filipino diet for being a sumptuous delicacy, a nutritious food and inexpensive substitute for animal protein. Secondly, the relative scarcity of mushroom products in the market offers variety of socio-economic opportunities - both in terms of income and employment generation. Finally, the technology barrier in mushroom production and processing has been eliminated owing to the untiring research and development efforts of some institutions such as the CLSU's Center for Tropical Mushroom Research and Development and individuals in the industry.

Major Features/Components

As the technology will be commercialized a project will be put-up and shall contain three aspects namely: (a) in-campus mushroom project, (b) training and technical services for off-campus partners, and (c) action research.

• In-campus mushroom project
This component shall be responsible in pursuing and establishing entrepreneurial mushroom project designed to help meet CLSU's financial requirements. Initially, the project shall include the following commercial activities (not in order of importance), namely:

• Volvariella Production

• Pleurotus Production

• Mushroom spawn production

• Mushroom processing

• Mushroom Marketing and Distribution

• Training and Technical Services for Off-campus Partners

Hiring of professional services of experts and staff that represent multi-disciplinary areas such as:

(i) Mushroom Culture

(ii) Tissue Culture

(iii) Food Processing and Technology

(iv) Agribusiness and Marketing

• Action Research

An action research component shall be addressed to monitor and evaluate the requisites of the tasks being undertaken. To gauge whether the actual performance is congruent with the desired performance, a comprehensive and periodic performance assessment is indeed essential. Once these data are processed, better and effective measures could be reasonably incorporated to insure that the tactical and strategic directions of the project are sustained.

Financial/economic/market feasibility

Initially, 200 partners shall be involved in the production of mushroom in different villages or Barangays of Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, 50% of which will be engaged in the production Volvariella variety and the other 50% shall be engaged in the production of Pleurotus variety.

Expected Socio-economic Impact of the Project

The socio-economic impact of the entire project shall be substantial. The direct benefits would include employment and income generation, poverty alleviation, value transformation and general welfare enhancement within CLSU and its service area.

The benefits from the in-campus project could be translated as 100% yearly ROI, on the average. With this profitability, the project would be able to complement the institutional needs (including instruction, research and extension, among others) of CLSU.

In addition, the income derived by the partners shall be tapped to retire debt obligations, hence, renew and improve developmental activities and operations among their general membership. It may also be used to augment capital build up for cooperatives.

The results of providing education and training for community and cooperative leaders would be converted into: more cost effective infrastructure and development projects, more attractive climate for business and commercial activities, among others. As such, the poverty level shall be reduced while the general welfare shall be enhanced across its service areas.

Source of Technology: CLSU's Center for Tropical Mushroom Research and Development

Source: http://www.neda.gov.ph/knowledge-Emporium/details1.asp?DataID=504



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