Prospects for Increasing Commercial Mushroom Production in Malaysia: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

One of the benefits of mushroom cultivation is their potential contribution to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly way of farming. Mushroom cultivation using an agricultural waste as a growing medium, and the subsequent use of spent substrate has high value for horticultural activity; organic fertilizer; and potential utilise for animal feeding. The value of mushroom to diets, coupled with reported medicinal properties, can also provide valuable additional new small and medium-scale business options. This study attempts to evaluate the mushroom industry prospects in Malaysia. It also explores issues and challenges facing the mushroom industry in Malaysia by using a critical analysis and SWOT analysis. The main challenges include poor supply and the increasing price of raw material, for example sawdust; the poor quality of mushroom spawn, and the threat of diseases and pest attack. Several strategies are discussed to potentially improve the productivity of mushroom cultivation in Malaysia. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n1s1p406