More than 20 offices and organizations joined the Mushroom Stakeholders Forum held at the Director’s Office Conference Room. The event, led by the Bureau of Plant Industry(DA-BPI) – Crop Research and Production Support Division (BPI-CRPSD), officially concluded on June 18, 2025. It brought together key partners to support and strengthen the mushroom industry.
During the forum, Herminigilda A. Gabertan, Ph.D., Assistant Director for Research, Development, and Production Support Services, emphasized the shared goal of strengthening the mushroom industry through collaboration. She added that the forum serves as a platform to address challenges, share solutions, and align efforts toward common goals. AD Gilda encouraged everyone to build strong partnerships and support one another in advancing the mushroom industry.
Meanwhile, BPI Director Gerald Glenn F. Panganiban, Ph.D., highlighted mushroom farming’s vital role in addressing poverty, hunger, and the need for sustainable food sources, pointing out its potential to transform agricultural waste into nutritious, low-cost food. He emphasized the forum’s importance as a platform for knowledge exchange, stronger partnerships, and aligning efforts toward building a resilient, innovative, and competitive mushroom industry in the Philippines.
The event also featured the signing of Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) between DA-BPI and its institutional partners:
• DA-BPI, Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT), and Central Luzon State University (CLSU)
• DA-BPI and ASCOT • And the partnership of DA-BPI and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP)
In addition, stakeholders received valuable insights from experts across the Department of Agriculture:
• Engr. Jose Zalde B. Samson, Jr. – Status of the Mushroom Industry
• Dr. Ailene Galvez – Certifications and Food Safety Regulations, Good Cultivation Practices, and Philippine National Standards (PNS) for Mushroom
• Mr. John Romar Pedrigal and Mr. Irish Ativo – Marketing and Business Opportunities for Mushroom
• Mr. Virgilio Rovillos II and Mr. Churchchill Lacuesta – Procedures and Policy on Export and Importation
An open forum followed, allowing stakeholders to freely share the current issues and challenges faced by the mushroom industry.
The forum served as a platform to share insights on the current state of the mushroom industry, while also identifying key areas for improvement, exchanging best practices, and exploring new partnerships. In addition, the collaboration, which is strengthened through the signed MOAs, ensures continuous technical support, which helps pave the way for a more innovative, resilient, and sustainable mushroom sector.
Ultimately, the forum reflects the Bureau of Plant Industry’s mission to lead in plant industry development and supports its vision of a food-secure and sustainable Philippines by advancing agricultural productivity, strengthening partnerships, and promoting inclusive growth within the mushroom industry.