Proposal

1. Introduction

The increasing demand for clean food products to safeguard health has emerged as a prominent trend. While mushrooms, both in general and specifically in Vietnam, hold significant potential for nutrition and health benefits, their full potential remains untapped. This underutilization represents a missed opportunity to tap into the abundant mushrooms’ resources. Moreover, unemployment is still a problem in rural areas, especially for over-aged workers after they get fired by factories. These communities could benefit greatly from the cultivation and commercialization of mushrooms as a sustainable and income-generating agricultural practice. By addressing these problems through development projects and strategic initiatives, it is possible to improve food safety and nutritional quality and create jobs, particularly in rural areas where employment opportunities would support local well-being and economic growth.

The project focuses on researching and developing oyster mushrooms (used to produce edible products) and turkey tails (used in pharmaceutical preparations for treating illnesses) to harness their potential health and economic benefits. The primary goal is the exploration and application of nutrient-rich, medicinal, and economically valuable mushroom varieties in food and beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.

2. Objectives:

• Research and develop effective mushroom cultivation and harvesting methods.
• Study the nutritional and medicinal properties of various mushroom species.
• Create high-quality mushroom products for food and medical purposes.
• Develop mushroom products for convenient everyday use.
• Establish a comprehensive database of potentially valuable mushroom species.

3. Scope of Activities:

• Research on the ecology and growth conditions of oyster mushrooms and turkey tails.
• Development of mushroom cultivation and processing technologies.
• Chemical and biological analysis of oyster mushrooms and turkey tails to understand their characteristics and effects.
• Production of spices (eg. oyster mushroom powder), functional food (eg. mushroom juice), pharmaceuticals (eg. turkey tail), and cosmetics (eg. turkey tail extracted masks) from mushrooms.

4. Expected Outcomes:

• Supply clean, safe, and nutritious mushrooms for consumers.
• Contribute to community health through the use of mushroom products.
• Enhance consumer knowledge and awareness regarding the mushrooms’ nutritional, medicinal, and cosmetic values.
• Develop the mushroom industry, creating employment opportunities and increasing income for rural regions’ farmers.
• Achieve sustainable development goals following the UN’s goals, including:

• End poverty in rural areas by providing well-paid jobs, and educating laborers; ensure the employment for people in  Vietnam and more.
• Protect the planet through green agriculture and achieve economic growth.
• Achieve decent work and sustainable development through efficient management and responsible production as mushrooms are produced from recycled materials, and shift the industry towards a more resource-efficient economy. 
• Use mushrooms to make progress against diseases such as cancer to maintain good health and well-being in society.

5. Implementation Methods:

• Collaborate with research organizations, businesses, and the government to execute research and application activities.
• Organize educational and promotional programs to increase community awareness about mushrooms.
• Establish strategic partnerships to develop and market mushroom products.
• Host workshops to engage the youngsters in the community in mushroom cultivation and encourage them to use self-cultivated products.

6. Financials:

• Require investment funding for research and development.
• Seek funding from international organizations, businesses, and the government.
• Generate revenue from the sale of mushroom products and related services.

7. Evaluation and Monitoring:

• Evaluate the progress and results of research and development activities periodically.
• Monitor market consumption and feedback on mushroom products.
• Assess the project’s impact on the community and the environment.

8. Implementation Plan:

• Define specific steps for the implementation process of each manufacturing phase.
• Recruit and assign tasks to relevant partners and staff.
• Determine performance indicators to assess the progress and ensure the project’s effectiveness.

9. Vision and Long-Term Impact:

• Shape a future in which the use of mushrooms plays a vital role in improving health and sustainable economic development.
• Create a passionate and knowledgeable community around mushrooms, contributing to the sustainability of natural resources and societal development.
• Bring recognition to Vietnamese mushrooms in the global market
• Become a trendsetter in mushroom products in Vietnam and a leading, competitive player in the food industry that brings societal values to society