Oyster Mushroom Enterprise Development for Growth and Empowerment (Oyster Mushroom EDGE): An ASIST-AFTIICC Initiative on Research, Training, and Livelihood through Sustainable Oyster Mushroom Enterprise

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dc.citation.conferencetitleCorCAARRD & CIEERDeC 15th Joint Regional Symposium on RDE Highlights & 8th Research Student Congress
dc.contributor.authorNero M. Paderes
dc.contributor.authorKae Ann Marie Balingit
dc.contributor.authorBersheeba Taclawan
dc.date.accessioned2026-05-16T01:13:56Z
dc.date.issued2025-10-30
dc.descriptionThe OYSTER EDGE program advances the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023–2028 by promoting inclusive rural transformation, food security, and innovation-driven growth. Through its community-based oyster mushroom enterprises, it provides a scalable model for sustainable and climate-resilient agri-livelihoods, particularly supporting upland and marginalized communities in Abra. Aligned with the Department of Agriculture’s high-value crop diversification and local food system initiatives, the program promotes low-cost, resource-efficient farming technologies that drive agricultural modernization. It also contributes to key Sustainable Development Goals—SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Under AFTIICC, OYSTER EDGE integrates localized research, enterprise incubation, and capacity-building to foster innovation and entrepreneurship at the grassroots level. By empowering Agricultural Extension Workers, women, Indigenous Peoples, and youth with agribusiness and technical skills, it strengthens both institutional an dhuman capacity. Overall, the program supports national goals of modernized agriculture, community enterprise development, and sustainable economic resilience. Target clients and importance (gaps) The OYSTER EDGE program targets smallholder farmers, women’s groups, Indigenous Peoples, youth, and Agricultural Extension Workers in Abra who lack access to sustainable livelihood and agribusiness opportunities. It directly benefits 10 displaced workers, 100 entrepreneurs, and 6 partner LGUs. Prior to the intervention, communities struggled with low technical capacity and poor yields averaging 0.20–0.25 g per fruiting bag. Through optimized substrate formulations and agricultural waste utilization, yields improved by up to 55%, and problem resolution rates rose from 60% to 90%. Capacity-building increased agribusiness competence from 50% to 80%, while start-up support doubled enterprise participation. Value-adding trainings also boosted product marketability by 40%. The OYSTER EDGE successfully enhanced technical capacity, productivity, and enterprise readiness, transforming marginalized communities into empowered, innovation-driven agri-entrepreneurs. Research results and/or TNA reference The OYSTER EDGE program is grounded on both empirical research and a Training Needs Assessment (TNA) conducted in selected rural communities across Abra. The TNA identified major gaps in technical skills, entrepreneurial readiness, and product innovation for oyster mushroom cultivation. Specifically, 72% of respondents had no prior training, 60% lacked knowledge in value addition and marketing, and over half had no access to starter kits and technical support. These findings justified the need for an integrated, research-based extension program that combines technology transfer, agribusiness mentoring, and livelihood support. Three complementary research projects under the AFTIICC formed the foundation of OYSTER EDGE. The first, led by Dr. Nero M. Paderes, optimized indigenous root crops as substrates, increasing mycelial productivity by 20% and ensuring yield uniformity. The second, headed by Ms. Kae Ann Marie Balingit, analyzed agribusiness production and marketing inputs, highlighting challenges in cost management and market access. This study shaped the program’s training modules on financial literacy, enterprise planning, and supply chain management. The third, by Ms. Bersheeba Taclawan, developed high-value mushroom products such as chicharron, kropeck, and ice cream, raising market competitiveness and expanding income streams. Together, these studies demonstrated that evidence-based, community-aligned interventions can significantly enhance productivity and enterprise growth.
dc.description.abstractThe Oyster Mushroom Enterprise Development for Growth and Empowerment (OYSTER EDGE) is ASIST’s flagship extension program led by Dr. Nero M. Paderes through the Agriculture, Food, and Technology Innovation, Incubation, and Commercialization Center (AFTIICC). It empowers rural communities through research-based training, technology transfer, and livelihood support centered on sustainable oyster mushroom production. The program integrates three core projects: (1) Innovative System in Production (Dr. Paderes), improving substrate formulations using local root crops; (2) Agribusiness and Market Analysis (Ms. Kae Ann Marie Balingit), assessing production inputs and market linkages; and (3) New Product Development (Ms. Bersheeba Taclawan), promoting value-added mushroom products. Aligned with national goals for food security and rural employment, OYSTER EDGE introduces scalable production systems through Training of Trainers (TOT) among Agricultural Extension Workers and community groups. Its innovations—such as automated fogging and tissue-cultured spawn production—enhance yield quality while reducing costs. The program also promotes inclusivity by engaging women, Indigenous Peoples, and out-of-school youth. Using the STEEP framework, OYSTER EDGE demonstrates social cohesion, technological innovation, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and policy alignment—serving as a replicable model for innovation-driven agricultural development in rural and disadvantaged communities.
dc.identifier.urihttps://repository.corcaarrd.net/handle/123456789/73
dc.language.isoen
dc.titleOyster Mushroom Enterprise Development for Growth and Empowerment (Oyster Mushroom EDGE): An ASIST-AFTIICC Initiative on Research, Training, and Livelihood through Sustainable Oyster Mushroom Enterprise
dc.typeConference paper
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CorCAARRD & CIEERDeC 15th Joint Regional Symposium on RDE Highlights & 8th Research Student Congress