Utilization of Wild Edible Mushrooms for Rural Livelihood in Zaria and its Environs

Abstract

A survey was carried out in some rural communities of Zaria and its environs and mushrooms were collected from the wild during the rains (July-August). The edible mushrooms collected were identified with the help of mushroom guides and some mushroom eaters living in those localities. Information was obtained from consumers, traders, other collectors/hunters and cultivators on their income generation; consumption and other uses of the collected Mushrooms to determine the improvement of the rural livelihood. Mushrooms are sources of food, income and medicinal values. The age range for consumers of edible mushrooms in Zaria and its environs increase with age. This is basically due to lack of adequate knowledge about edible mushrooms. It also gave priority to individuals consuming edible mushrooms, trading and cultivating edible mushrooms. Only few traders of edible mushrooms and few of cultivators of edible mushrooms for commercial purposes were observed, except the wild mushroom hunters that utilized the raining season and generate income for their improve livelihood. The result showed that most individuals in Zaria communities and their environs do not have an interest in eating mushrooms due to the fear of collecting poisonous mushrooms that are much alike with the edible ones. The weather condition is not much favorable for mushroom growth.