Bangladesh, Oct. 20 -- Mushroom is a nutritious and vegetable food item, which has therapeutic characteristics. Mushroom is increasingly becoming popular, especially among the young people, who go to restaurants for dining. Its cultivation started in Bangladesh in the late 1970s with Japanese support. The government's Department of Agriculture Extension carried out some trials in Savar and a number of places such as Dinajpur, Jashore, Barishal, Chattogram, Sylhet, Cumilla, Khulna, Mymensingh, Bandarban, Rangamati, Chapainawabganj and Rangpur. There are 13 varieties of mushroom that have been developed in Bangladesh. A mushroom grower can earn Tk 10,000-15,000 a month by using a small piece of land.

Zahid Hasan

East West University, Dhaka...