The Department of Life Sciences at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) hosted a workshop on modern mushroom cultivation techniques, convening 20 mushroom growers and entrepreneurs from across Bangladesh to advance industry innovation and sustainable practices. Participants discussed key challenges and shared experiences in mushroom cultivation, according to a press release. Mushrooms have emerged as a promising crop in Bangladesh, contributing to household nutrition and income for marginal families. However, persistent fungal contamination often originates in a single spawn bag and can spread rapidly across entire farms. To address this, Dr Jebunnahar Khandakar, associate professor of life sciences at IUB, developed an innovative solution following nearly three years of research. The method prevents the spread of harmful fungi without reducing yield and remains safe for both the environment and human health, the release said. The workshop aimed to address farmers' questions regarding the new technique and collect feedback for further refinement.
It also sought to help entrepreneurs better understand sustainable market access challenges and strategies to increase profitability.
