Viet Nam could produce a million tonnes of mushrooms annually by 2010, and each tonne produced could create a job for a worker in the mushroom business, says Prof Nguyen Huu Dong, a consultant for the nascent industry.

But Dong also says that the industry may not become a million job producer unless scientists and farmers get together and examine just what kinds of mushrooms, cross bred or not, can weather bad weather or different climate zones, whose farming methods can be well understood by farmers, and which yield abundant harvests.

Moreover, to achieve the one million tonne target, farmers may have to join together to achieve economies of scale, while buying and processing units should establish their local processing facilities and work together with the Canned Mushroom Company in Hai Duong Province east of Ha Noi to ensure that farmers' output will be marketed effectively.

Viet Nam, says Dong, should also employ support from both domestic and international organisations that have the latest equipment and technologies devoted to mushrooms. A forum manned by scientists, farmers and businessman, where ideas could be exchanged, would also be helpful.

"The State should play an important role in investing in research and training activities to help the industry develop.
Without proper co-operation between departments and businesses, mushroom growing can not have a solid seat in the country's agriculture," added Dong.