KIZILTEPE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY

                          ACCORDING TO THE UNIVERSITY-CHAMBER/STOCK EXCHANGE RESEARCH

      IT IS POSSIBLE TO PRODUCE AND SELL MUSHROOMS AS AN ALTERNATIVE PRODUCT IN MARDIN

Mardin Artuklu University Public Private and Mixed Sector Cooperation Coordination (MAUKOK), Mardin Province / Districts Chambers / Stock Exchanges (Kiziltepe Commodity Exchange, Kiziltepe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mardin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nusaybin Commodity Exchange, Nusaybin Chamber of Commerce and Industry) conducted a field research on the production and sale of mushrooms as an alternative product in Mardin.

 MAU IIBF Department of Economics Faculty Member, MAUKÖK Coordinator and TOBB/TEPAV, Mardin Province/Districts Chamber/Stock Exchange Academic Advisor Prof. Dr. Mehmet Behzat Ekinci and MAU Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Faculty Member and MAUKÖK Member Assoc. Dr. Hilal Acay was performed  this study.

This field study, which was conducted in January 2023 with people who grow mushrooms in Mardin and a related institution, aims to determine the potential for mushroom production and sales in Mardin. Within this framework, it is aimed to address the problems faced by the participants and to reveal the solutions they have developed for them.

The research was conducted by e-mail and telephone with 3 producer person from Ömerli, Nusaybin and Derik Districts of Mardin and a related institution.

The answers given within the scope of the survey have been collated and subjected to general due diligence and evaluation. Some of the results and related proposals that emerged from the research are as follows:

Touching upon the problems related to production, the participants draw attention to the inappropriateness of the compost in which the mushroom will be grown in this context; irrigation, disinfection, ventilation, ensuring the hot-cold balance, etc. they refer to the negativities in the issues and state that the height of the day-night temperature difference in Mardin can negatively affect production. In addition, participants who talk about the possibility of diseases also express that various fungal pests can occur.
Some of the problems that the participants expressed that they encountered in the sale of mushrooms are as follows: supply-demand imbalance and lack of the necessary infrastructure to store mushrooms in a suitable environment in case of supply glut.
The participants list factors such as taste differences, social prejudices and lack of mushroom consumption habits among the reasons for the Deciency of demand.
Among the solutions developed by the participants for production-related problems, for example, if the compost is not suitable, it should be cleaned and made ready for production; proper maintenance conditions should be fulfilled; necessary Decontamination against diseases and pests should be carried out in a way that does not harm the fungus.
To solve the problems encountered in the sale of mushrooms, the following are indicated: adjusting the capacity according to demand; conducting studies on the inclusion of mushrooms on food menus in places of mass consumption in order to increase the demand for mushrooms; providing training on mushroom menus.
Mardin Artuklu University and the Chambers /Stock Exchanges of Mardin Province/Districts stated that thanks to such collaborations, the preparation of similar studies containing alternative product offers related to the city and region will continue.