Cultivation of Cordyceps mushroom: A new direction for people

Receiving technology transfer, training a team of technical staff, successfully producing and processing Cordyceps militaris mushrooms and training and transferring techniques to people, aiming to promote and introduce products to the market, increase income... are the results of the Project "Application of scientific and technological advances to build a model for seed production, cultivation and processing of Cordyceps militaris mushroom products in Thai Nguyen" - Project.

Representatives of Gold NT Herbal Company Limited and Farmers' Association of Chua Hang Ward ( Thai Nguyen City) signed a cooperation agreement on production.

The project is implemented by Gold NT Herbal Medicine Company Limited (Group 27, Phan Dinh Phung Ward, Thai Nguyen City) under the Program to support the application and transfer of scientific and technological advances (S&T) to promote socio-economic development in rural, mountainous and ethnic minority areas in the period of 2016-2025 managed by the Central Government, approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology . The project has been implemented since 2021. Up to now, the cultivation of Cordyceps has been successfully implemented, and the evaluation results all meet the standards.

Visiting the research, cultivation and processing area of Cordyceps sinensis of the Company at the Experimental Building, Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology (Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry), we were attracted by thousands of boxes of pink mushrooms sprouting in the culture room.

Mushrooms are cultivated, go through a period of “hibernation” and then “sprout” in an ideal environment and temperature, following strict research and evaluation standards. Each batch of mushrooms is the result of more than 3 years of research and experimentation by the technical staff after being transferred the cultivation technology.

Previously, many batches of mushrooms after being harvested and quality tested were pre-processed (dried) and packaged into finished products, ensuring quality. In addition to the growing room, there are also areas for harvesting, freeze-drying, air-heat drying, packaging, and product preservation. All are newly invested with specialized equipment.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Doan, Director of Gold NT Herbal Medicine Company Limited (the unit in charge of implementing the Project), introduced: To implement this Project, the Company has cooperated and signed a contract with the Lam Dong Province Center for Science and Technology Application to transfer technology. Accordingly, the Company has assigned 5 technical staff with engineering qualifications or higher with appropriate expertise to receive and master the process of seed production, cultivation and preliminary processing of products from Cordyceps. In addition, the unit also trained 15 basic technicians on cultivation techniques and preliminary processing of products. Along with human resources, the system of equipment and facilities serving the Project is fully and seriously implemented and ensures compliance with regulations and quality.

According to Mr. Nguyen Cong Doan, the technical process of breeding and producing cordyceps has been implemented by some local production facilities. However, most of the seed sources are of unknown origin, easily degraded, have unstable productivity and quality, and have not created added value for the product.

Cordyceps mushroom of Gold NT Herbal Medicine Company Limited at Institute of Biotechnology and Food Technology (Thai Nguyen University of Agriculture and Forestry).

This project will be implemented to receive and transfer technical technology from a reputable unit, at the same time build infrastructure, add equipment to create a model for breeding and cultivating cordyceps on an industrial scale according to the correct process and standards, solving the above-mentioned problems.

In addition, after being trained and confirmed as qualified to transfer the process, technical staff will organize training and guidance for local households who want to participate in growing Cordyceps.

Accordingly, the Company has coordinated with the People's Committee and Farmers' Association of Chua Hang Ward (Thai Nguyen City) to organize training courses to introduce models and techniques for seed production, cultivation and preliminary processing of cordyceps products to 150 people. At the training courses, people were introduced to the value and economic efficiency of cordyceps, and at the same time grasped the technical processes for seed production, cultivation and preliminary processing of products.

Ms. Ma Tu Thi Mai Diep, President of the Farmers' Association of Chua Hang Ward, excitedly said: I see that this model of producing and processing cordyceps mushrooms has a lot of potential, suitable for many farmer members in the area. This is an opportunity for farmers to change their thinking, innovate traditional production methods to apply science and technology from accessing and participating in the production chain with the Company, thereby increasing income and developing the economy in a sustainable direction. After the training sessions, through the Farmers' Association, households registered and signed contracts with the Company to grow cordyceps mushrooms at home.

When participating in the chain, households will be supported with training costs, mastering the technical process of growing and harvesting mushrooms. Company staff will advise on the design of a suitable house to grow this precious mushroom at home, ensuring technical requirements. During the implementation process, people will be supported by the Company's technical staff to check the techniques of growing and harvesting Cordyceps sinensis mushrooms. After that, the products made by households will be supported to be consumed in the market.

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/kinh-te/202407/nuoi-trong-namdong-trung-ha-thao-huong-di-moi-cho-nguoi-dan-9b8186d/