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• Improve the efficiency of the mushroom subsector. Explore and adopt new technologies that can reduce costs of straw collection and spore and RSM production
as well as product preservation and processing.
• Improve the linkages among RSM value chain stakeholders to upgrade and
expand the value chains. The purpose of linkages is to improve the efficiency and
ensure the quality of mushroom products. Both RSM quality and quantity should
be governed. Wholesalers and exporters should take the leading roles in linking
the growers and other input suppliers.
11.3.5.6 Recommended Prioritized Activities to Support Fresh
and Processed Mushroom Value Chains
• Enhance value chain linkages between rice farmers (who supply straw), mushroom growers, supporting actors (input suppliers, labor), and external agents.
• Transfer indoor mushroom growing techniques and other improved techniques
to growers to improve productivity and profit from RSM production.
• Conduct market research to explore new market opportunities for fresh and processed mushroom products in the domestic and export markets.
11.4 Summary, Further Research, and Developments
RSM value chains have been adapted and improved over the last 40 years. However,
the profit margin for actors is still low and participation in RSM value chains
involves a high level of risks. Mushroom growers are facing many difficulties, such
as the lack of a reliable supply of good quality of straw and spawn. Mushroom yield
is low and fluctuates (0–4% of rice straw use) due to the fact that it is mostly produced outdoors. Mushroom growers are still reluctant to shift and invest in improved
mushroom production techniques and indoor models.
Speeding up technology expansion and controlling straw and spawn quality will
significantly improve profits for mushroom growers. Enhancing the linkages and
coordination along the value chains will improve their overall performance and foster upgrading. Improving fresh-mushroom transportation systems will enhance
mushroom quality. Finally, sound market research to explore new opportunities for
fresh and processed-mushroom products is needed to inform actors and crowd-in
investment in value chain upgrading.
Value chains and influencing factors of rice straw in Vietnam, Cambodia, and the
Philippines were mapped through multi-stakeholder workshops with experts from
agriculture and the food and energy sectors. In terms of future markets for agricultural uses, Vietnamese and Cambodian stakeholders proposed organic fertilizer,
crop mulching, and biochar, while Philippine stakeholders suggested rice straw
nets/mats, rice straw gardens, and seedling pots and trays for mechanical rice transM. Demont et al.
• Improve the efficiency of the mushroom subsector. Explore and adopt new technologies that can reduce costs of straw collection and spore and RSM production
as well as product preservation and processing.
• Improve the linkages among RSM value chain stakeholders to upgrade and
expand the value chains. The purpose of linkages is to improve the efficiency and
ensure the quality of mushroom products. Both RSM quality and quantity should
be governed. Wholesalers and exporters should take the leading roles in linking
the growers and other input suppliers.
11.3.5.6 Recommended Prioritized Activities to Support Fresh
and Processed Mushroom Value Chains
• Enhance value chain linkages between rice farmers (who supply straw), mushroom growers, supporting actors (input suppliers, labor), and external agents.
• Transfer indoor mushroom growing techniques and other improved techniques
to growers to improve productivity and profit from RSM production.
• Conduct market research to explore new market opportunities for fresh and processed mushroom products in the domestic and export markets.
11.4 Summary, Further Research, and Developments
RSM value chains have been adapted and improved over the last 40 years. However,
the profit margin for actors is still low and participation in RSM value chains
involves a high level of risks. Mushroom growers are facing many difficulties, such
as the lack of a reliable supply of good quality of straw and spawn. Mushroom yield
is low and fluctuates (0–4% of rice straw use) due to the fact that it is mostly produced outdoors. Mushroom growers are still reluctant to shift and invest in improved
mushroom production techniques and indoor models.
Speeding up technology expansion and controlling straw and spawn quality will
significantly improve profits for mushroom growers. Enhancing the linkages and
coordination along the value chains will improve their overall performance and foster upgrading. Improving fresh-mushroom transportation systems will enhance
mushroom quality. Finally, sound market research to explore new opportunities for
fresh and processed-mushroom products is needed to inform actors and crowd-in
investment in value chain upgrading.
Value chains and influencing factors of rice straw in Vietnam, Cambodia, and the
Philippines were mapped through multi-stakeholder workshops with experts from
agriculture and the food and energy sectors. In terms of future markets for agricultural uses, Vietnamese and Cambodian stakeholders proposed organic fertilizer,
crop mulching, and biochar, while Philippine stakeholders suggested rice straw
nets/mats, rice straw gardens, and seedling pots and trays for mechanical rice transM. Demont et al.