The President of the National Mushroom Growers, Prossessors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NAM-GP-MAN), Chief Michael Awunor has called on the federal government to come to the aid of the association for effective production, economic diversification, Job creation and attainment of its medicinal/nutritional value to enhance the wellbeing of Nigerian populace.
Chief Michael Awunor stated in his speech during the opening ceremony of the first national mushroom week 2021,held at the exhibition pavilion, Abuja.
According to him,the first national mushroom week was aimed at sensitising and educating Nigerians on the importance of mushroom cultivation and consumption, adding that the association was formed and nurtured by the federal ministry of trade and investment in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC).
Chief Awunor also added that association was launched by the minister of Industry Trade and Investment to develop and promote mushroom sub sector and also to serve as an umbrella body for mushroom stakeholders in the country.
He averred that the world’s demand for mushroom has continued to increase significantly as reported by the by the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), adding that the world production in 2018 was 8.99 million tons with China’s production at 46 % of its world, while Africa’s production was 28.77 those tons mainly contributed by South Africa,Madagascar, Morocco ,Algeria, Zimbabwe and Tunisia.
The President also stated that the growing demand for mushroom was due to it’s potency in medical and nutritional value. tressed further that the rising global awareness for healthy foods has made mushroom a highly preferred substitute protein, vitamins and minerals.
Chief Awunor said, with proper incentives and encouragement by government farmers can produce for medicinal, nutritional and exportation. He complained that a situation whereby a commodity association was created by government and left as orphan after launching was discouraging.
He further lamented that National Mushroom Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of( Nigeria NAM-GP-MAN) was worst hit for not involved in anchor borrowers programme and suggested that a special commodity association funding should be given a priority attention and managed by the federal ministry of Industry,Trade and Investment.