Iran ranks 17th in mushroom production

Despite the fact that mushroom growing is quite new in Iran, the country ranks 17th in the field in the world.

Announcing this, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Jihad Peyman Falsafi said at the Fourth Scientific Conference on Edible Mushroom here that population growth and increase in food consumption has brought about food diversity in the world.

Today, mushroom is not considered a fantasy product and has found its due status in families’ food basket.

Referring to the main advantages of mushroom as a valuable agricultural product, need for less water compared to other agricultural products and short growth period are among the most important advantages of mushroom over other crops.

“Given the low cost of energy for cultivating the crop, we can take steps to promote its production and export,” he said.

Production of the crop should be compatible with its marketing because it is rotten and should be transferred to the market.

Constructive interactions have been made between the Guild Association of Mushroom Production and Agriculture Jihad Ministry to reorganize production of the crop, Falsafi said.

Stating that some 48,000 tons of mushroom are produced in Iran annually, he added that promoting technical knowledge of mushroom growers, holding educational workshops and setting up units for growing the crop are among the steps which can be taken to promote production quality.

The three-day Conference on Edible Mushroom is attended by experts form Ireland, France and Turkey.

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