A S S E S SME NT OF MUSHROOM P RODU CT ION AND MARKET ING IN ETHIOPIA: THE CASE OF A D DI S AB AB A

Abstract

The study has focused on assessing Mushroom Production and Marketing activities in Ethiopia with special reference to Addis Ababa. The main objective of this study is to assess the existing mushroom production and marketing in Addis Ababa and its adoption in rural Ethiopia. Hence, in order to achieve this objective, an assessment was conducted from February, 2014 to June, 2014 to collect the primary data. The data were collected from eight organizations namely Ethio- Mushroom, Sweet Mushroom, Mushroom 2000, Zenebech, Teshome and Haymanot Mushroom Spawn Production, Sheger Mushroom, Akaki, Gulele, and Ledeta mushroom farms. Samples of 91 respondents from the eight organizations were addressed through structured close and open ended questionnaire as well as interviews. Respondents were selected using systematic sampling method. The data collected were analyzed by descriptive statistics using simple statistical analysis i.e. frequencies, percentages, figures and tables with the help of SPSS. The results of the study revealed that, the existing market demand and supply were at rudimentary stage and the specific factors contributed to this condition were termed to be ineficient production and poor quality of the products. As well as in terms of amount of production, most of the production is practiced at small scale level. On the other hand the major factors that hinder the cultivation of mushroom was found to be lack of awareness, lack of knowledge, low product price, lack of space and lack of facilities. Though there are potentials and opportunities for cultivation of mushroom in the country such as favorable climate, availability of agricultural wastes, cheap labor, good water resources, and high demand for mushroom products in the market. Among the factors that was found from this study which hinder the marketing and production of mushroom were the access to direct sale to consumers, lack of awareness of the potential consumers about the product, lack of promotion, lack of market and poor quality of the product. Thus based on this study it is recommended that all stakeholders should incur eforts to promote the production and marketing of mushroom around the study area in particular and in the country in general.