Mushroom Research And Development Initiative (M.R.A.D.I) paves a way to Wild edible mushroom as underestimated non-wood forest products (NWFP) bio-resource in Tanzania.

Mushroom Research And Development Initiative (M.R.A.D.I) paves a way to Wild edible mushroom as underestimated non-wood forest products (NWFP) bio-resource in Tanzania. 

Our Research, Development & Product Designing Department (RDPSD) conducted several research which reveals how forest products and forestry can contribute to alleviation of poverty and food insecurity. L.E.A.R.N program conducts the Promotion and development of non-wood forest products (NWFP) by improving the sustainable use of NWFP in order to improve income-generation and food security, to contribute to the wise management of the world's forests and to conserve their biodiversity and preparation of a catalogue of mushroom strains indigenous to Tanzania. This will be comprehensive and include, for example, data relating to the location, altitude and nature (e.g. miombo forest, grassland) of the collection site, prevailing climatic conditions, and mushroom distribution patterns. Canvassing of growers and the local population in general about sightings of mushroom fruit bodies growing in the wild will be employed in this program.

However, most information on fungi is available on cultivated species while data on wild edible fungi (WEF) remain scarce. The classical method for identifying a macrofungus involves a microscopic examination of tissues, spores and spore structures. This will at least ensure that the genus is identified. Identification of the lesser known tropical species may also require examination of reference collections. Useful visual clues can be obtained from photographs in field guides (Mamaland Wild Mushroom Field Guide: Epitomized scientific taxonomical knowledge of wild mushroom to indigenous ethnomycology) which is ready-made, straight-forward field guide for indigenous wild mushroom collectors and hunters.

Mushrooms are highly perishable and seasonal, available mostly during rainy season. Extension of shelf life through different preservation methods is essential for value addition. Commonly used as mushroom preservation methods are soaking (in fresh or cold water), salting, boiling and sun drying, as well as smoking. Additionally, edible wild mushrooms can serves as a vital source of nutritious food and if well exploited can contribute to food and nutritional security especially in rural areas. Sustainable conservation of forests can also be achieved through proper harvesting methods to ensure continuous supply of mushrooms. Awareness on proper harnessing, processing and preserving should be provided to communities in rural areas where mushrooms are seasonally harvested as source of income generation and food although mushroom poisoning is another challenge since it is very difficult to differentiate between edible and poisonous mushrooms as some of mushrooms in the same families are very similar.
Mamaland Mushroom Farms harnessing, processing and preserving the edible fruit bodies of Afrocantharellus, Lactarius, Russula, Termitomyces and Amanita for storage and markerting. The mushrooms are cut into pieces and sun dried by Solar dryer innovated by our Production, Innovative Technology & Resources Management Department (PITRMD). Also mushrooms can be spread on a mat or a black nylon sheet in the sunshine for sun drying. Some, at least the acrid species, are parboiled before drying. In that case the dried mushrooms become very hard and need a long soaking or even grinding before use. Mamaland Mushroom Farms is officially offering dried edible wild mushrooms and its products for its valuable consumers. Our dried Lactarius are often sold mixed with dried Cantharellus as shown in pictures. Order yours today!

Mamaland Mushroom Farms (2015).
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