MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija — The Center for Tropical Mushroom Research and Development (CTMRD) at the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) recently marked 35 years of work focused on research, training, and technology transfer aimed at expanding the mushroom industry in the Philippines.
Established in 1991, CTMRD operates under CLSU with a mandate to develop science-based technologies for tropical mushroom production. Over three decades, the center has worked on strain improvement, cultivation systems, postharvest handling, and product development to address both production challenges and market demand.
CTMRD’s research covers a range of tropical mushroom species suited to Philippine climate conditions. Studies include substrate formulation using agricultural wastes, climate-controlled growing systems, pest and disease management, and methods to extend shelf life.
The center also develops protocols for spawn production and quality control. These are distributed to farmers, cooperatives, and partner institutions to help standardize planting materials and improve yields.
Recent work has emphasized value-adding. Processed products such as mushroom chips, powders, and fortified food items are part of the center’s efforts to link production to consumer markets and provide additional income streams for growers.
Training and industry linkages
A core function of CTMRD is capability building. The center conducts training on spawn production, farm management, and food safety practices for farmers, students, local government technicians, and staff of state universities and colleges. Training facilities at CLSU are used for hands-on demonstrations and for testing new cultivation techniques before wider rollout.
CTMRD also collaborates with government agencies, academic institutions, and private enterprises. Partnerships support the adoption of mushroom technologies in different regions and help integrate mushroom farming into broader agricultural programs.
Carl Vincent Gapasin, CLSU alumnus and program head coordinator of the Department of Agriculture’s National Urban and Peri-urban Agriculture Program, said the center plays a key role in connecting research to the field.
“This is precisely why institutions like CTMRD are indispensable; you serve as a bridge between scientific discovery and practical application,” Gapasin said.
“Every technology developed creates new opportunities for agencies like the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Department of Agriculture to bring these innovations closer to our communities,” he added.
To expand information access, CTMRD has published reference materials documenting native and cultivated tropical mushrooms found in the country.
Contributions to sector
Renato Reyes, founder of CTMRD and president of Aurora State College of Technology, underscored the center’s long-term contribution to the country’s mushroom industry.
“The work of CTMRD over the past 35 years has helped establish the scientific foundation for mushroom production in the country,” Reyes said.
Julius Caesar Sicat, Department of Science and Technology Regional Director and CLSU Board of Regents member, also recognized the center’s role in technology development.
“CTMRD’s research and extension efforts support the growth of the mushroom industry by providing farmers with tested technologies and new product options,” Sicat said.
As it enters its 35th year, the center maintains its focus on research that can be applied directly by farmers and on building partnerships that widen the reach of mushroom technologies across the country.
