The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Prof. Tanko Ishaya, has called for the production and commercialization of mushrooms in order to support the nation’s agricultural sector while simultaneously boosting economic development.
The Punch reported that the Vice-Chancellor stated that while mushrooms have amazing potential, they also provide a sustainable source of income because of the employment opportunities they create due to their high nutritional value.
Ishaya, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), made these remarks during the opening ceremony of a five-day workshop on mushroom cultivation that was organized by the African Centre of Excellence in Phytomedicine Research and Development of UNIJOS.
The workshop was held at the Mushroom Training School Farm with the theme, ” Mushroom cultivation and commercialization: Hands-on.”
He stated that the importance of mushrooms served as another evidence of the need for participants to have the theoretical and practical training necessary to fully realize such unrealized potentials.
Ishaya predicted that commercializing and cultivating mushrooms would greatly contribute to the country’s agriculture sector’s sustainability and economic growth.
“Given its nutritional value, mushroom production offers a sustainable source of income through the employment opportunities it offers, which is why UNIJOS is working to provide citizens with the knowledge and practical skills required to fully realize the inherent potential.”
He referred to mushrooms as the “diamonds of the kitchen,” noting that they are not only a culinary treat but also have many health benefits.
The VC praised the Director of ACEPRD, Prof. Abraham Dogo, for conducting the workshop and suggested that it should emphasize knowledge inculcation, promoting collaboration, and networking.
The general manager of the Plateau State Agricultural Development Program, Ishaku Jilemsam, noted during his keynote speech that mushrooms have a variety of benefits, including the capacity to improve health and length of life.
He continued by saying that mushrooms have existed since the dawn of civilization and are frequently consumed as ceremonial drinks in countries like Greece.
The ACEPRD was chosen by the World Bank as one of the ten institutes from Nigeria to help advance healthcare in Africa.
Since then, the centre has contributed to knowledge advancement by identifying, disseminating, and applying research discoveries that are addressing urgent problems.
The center’s research outputs continue to address the public’s demands for health care with commercialization in the fields of mushroom cultivation with five different species that have been approved by NAFDAC, SCABIPLUS products for treating scabies, COVID-19 tea, among many others.
Numerous Nigerian and foreign students who participated in short-term courses, Masters and PhD level programs, and biomedical specialties were also trained by the company and received credentials.
