NSTDA, in partnership with collaborators, hosted the 1st Symposium on Mushroom Research and Cultivation Technology: Progress & Challenges on 30-31 August 2018 at Century Park Hotel in Bangkok. Collaborators to organize this symposium included Chiang Mai University, Mae Fah Luang University, King Mongkut’s
University of Technology Thonburi Ratchaburi Campus, Kasetsart University, Khon Kaen University, Chandrakasem Rajabhat University, Rajamangala University of Technology Isan Nakhonratchasima Campus, BIOTEC, MTEC, the Mushroom Researchers and Growers Society of Thailand and farmer network. The symposium aimed to promote knowledge sharing among researchers and growers in Thailand, as well as with experts from abroad. International speakers at the event were invited from China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Indonesia. There were 166 participants, 10 of which coming from overseas. Thai participants consisted of 119 researchers and lecturers, 28 growers and 9 representatives from companies.
Additionally, a pre-symposium workshop on mushroom cultivation & preservation of mushroom cultures was held on 29 August with Chinese and Korean experts, and a post-symposium workshop on wood ear mushroom cultivation taught by a Chinese expert was organized for growers in Ratchaburi province and nearby on 3 September.
NSTDA’s research program on mushroom focuses on supporting the development of cultivation technology and innovation of commercial and high potential mushrooms, including wood ear mushroom, paddy straw mushroom, oyster mushroom, log white fungi (Lentinus squarrosulus) and hard mushroom (Lentinus polychrous). The program also supports capacity building program of mushroom researchers and growers and networking with international collaborators.