Mushroom production in the faculty of agriculture teaching and research farm, university of Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

The study was carried out in the Teaching and Research of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. The main objective was to conduct an economic assessment of mushroom production in the farm. The study utilized secondary data generated from the farm record of the farm. Gross margin model was the analytical used. The results indicated that total variable cost spent in the production of mushroom in 2015 was ₦131,090.00, out of which, cost of energy for sterilization that is industrial gas constituted ₦54, 450.00. The result shows that the quantity of mushroom harvested was estimated at 619.8 kg. A kilogram of mushroom was sold for ₦750.00 and the total revenue generated was ₦464, 850.00 with a net return of ₦333,759.00. The result further showed that the Total Variable Cost was estimated as ₦127, 000.00 in 2016. Out of which cost of energy for sterilization was ₦46, 500.00. The quantity of mushroom harvested during the period was estimated at 403.0 kg. A kilogram of mushroom was sold for ₦1000.00 with estimated total revenue as ₦403,000.00 showing a net return of ₦276,000.00. The energy source of gas for sterilization in 2015 was 41.5% of the total cost of production while in 2016; it was 36.2% of the total cost of production. A positive return in the production of mushroom in the study area implies that if the scale of mushroom production is increased, it will definitely increase the quantity of mushroom harvested which will increase the revenue.

Keywords: mushroom production, teaching and research farm