In mid-June 2025, the Institute of Natural Resources and Environment (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) in collaboration with the Chu Yang Sin Medicinal Mushroom Cooperative and the local authorities of Ayun Commune, Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Mang Yang District, Gia Lai Province organized the first harvest of red lingzhi mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) grown under the canopy of acacia forests. This is one of the outstanding results of the Project on Commercialization of Rare Mushrooms for Sustainable Livelihoods of People in the Buffer Zone of Kon Ka Kinh National Park, implemented by the Institute of Natural Resources and Environment within the framework of the small grant packages of the SGPII Program – Round 2 funded by the German Development Bank (KfW) for ASEAN countries through the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity Conservation (ASEAN CENTRE FOR BIODIVERSITY – ACB). The implementation period is from December 2023 to June 2025.
With a scale of 12,000 mushroom spawns deployed on an area of 550 m², the initial model shows a survival rate of over 90%, good growth and timely harvest. The harvested lingzhi mushrooms are of good quality, uniform in size, and have high commercial value. It is expected that after deducting expenses, people can earn a minimum profit of 18 million VND/month, while the care time is only about 1 hour/day.
In addition to its economic value, the model also brings many benefits in terms of forest protection, maintaining forest cover, and connecting people with natural resources in a sustainable way. Utilizing the space under the acacia canopy to grow mushrooms has opened up a new direction in developing livelihoods associated with biodiversity conservation and ecotourism.
Through this harvest, the Institute of Natural Resources and Environment continues to affirm its role as a link between scientific research, technology transfer and support for the local community. The project also opens up a new direction for the locality, expanding the scale, building a lingzhi mushroom value chain associated with local brands and gradually participating in the domestic and international high-quality medicinal herbs market.
Photos captured from the mushroom harvest in Ayun commune, Mang Yang district:
A corner of the mushroom garden
Image of the Mushroom Harvesting Cooperative
Vice Chairman of Ayun commune inspected the mushroom garden in person
