Mr Ademuwagun Johnson, co-owner of A & A Integrated Farms, in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, called the cultivation of mushrooms a money-spinner in Nigeria. However, he added that most people were yet to explore its potential.

Johnson expressed regrets that people have not explored the potential of mushroom farming, in spite of the country’s conducive climate for high volume of mushroom production. He called mushrooms essential foodstuffs, rich in protein, vitamin B, minerals, phosphorus and with a large global demand.

“Mushrooms cultivation is not just stimulated by its various exploits in staple meals, but is also largely motivated by its wide range of uses. We, in the mushroom business, say the profitability of mushroom cultivation is comparatively higher than that of cassava, rice and cotton if given proper attention.”

“[The] government can help farmers to replicate what China is doing by paying attention to mushrooms farming because it can reduce poverty and create up to five million jobs for youths,’’ Johnson said. Official statistics from the National Farmers Information Service (NAFIS), have shown that Nigeria produces 300 tons of mushrooms per year against a demand of 1,200 tons.

“There are some species of edible mushrooms, including oyster, shiitake, morel, psychedelic mushrooms, among others. Oyster mushrooms take less than 40 days to mature and a plot of farm with 1,000-bag platforms can give potential investors as much as 2 tons of produce, with each kilogramme going for an average price of N2,000 (€4.84) and this can translate to as much as N4 million (€9,672) in sales revenues.