Mushroom Association of Malaysia

The Mushroom Association of Malaysia (formerly known as Malaysian Mushroom Research Association, MMRA) which was formed in 1999 and launched in March 2000 was a joint effort of mushroom growers and researchers.  

Aims and Objectives of MAM 

The main aim of MAM is to bring together scientists, growers and even enthusiasts to help coordinate and disseminate all aspects related to mushroom industry.

Our main objectives are:

1. Provide mushroom growers with information relating to improvement of mushroom culture techniques and other problems associate with mushroom industry.
2. Promote mushroom as a health food to the general public and thereby encouraging competitive growth of mushroom industry.
3. Search for new varieties preferably local varieties of mushroom for cultivation.
4. Promote mushroom biology (among academic and graduate students) research which are industry driven.
5. Encourage mushroom growing as a hobby.

Our Members
 

The members are mushroom growers, researchers from public universities and institutions and hobbyists. Currently there are 223 members including 41 Life members.   Membership is open to all Malaysian citizens above 18 years of age who will subscribe to the objectives of the Society.  Yearly meetings as well as promotion activities, field trips both within Malaysia and abroad, talks, seminars, conferences, exhibitions and workshops are arranged for the members. A number of these activities are carried out in collaboration with Department of Agriculture (DOA), Putra Jaya and also Mushroom Research Centre at University of Malaya. Future activities may expand these partnerships as more and more members (collaborators from within Malaysia and international ) join hands to chip in the mushroom agenda.

The Future

The future for mushroom growing in Malaysia is very bright as we have a number of plus points.  There is readily available and cheap agro industrial lignocellulosic substrates from industries including palm oil, sago starch, rubber wood and rice that can be used as substrates for mushroom growing.  The favorable environmental conditions (both highland and lowland) enable the cultivation of a number of varieties including temperate varieties such as Hericium erinaceus (monkey head mushroom), Agrocybe sp (black poplar/chestnut mushrooms) and Lentinula edodes (shiitake) throughout the year.