Le Van Kiem, 24, a graduate from the Da Nang University of Education, has established himself as a successful entrepreneur as he turned his interest in mushroom cultivation into solid earnings.

Kiem (right) introducing Healthy Fungy-developed products to customers at a recent trading fair organised in the city.

The strong-willed man is the founder of the Lien Chieu District-based Healthy Fungi Co, Ltd, which specialises in hi-tech mushroom cultivation. The company earns about 400 million VND in monthly revenue with a distribution network throughout the country. Notably, the company’s products have sought a firm berth in the domestic market.

During his study at the Faculty of Biology and the Environment at the university, the Thua Thien Hue-born man revealed his interest in mushroom cultivation. Under the guidance of lecturers, Kiem and his coursemates, namely Ngo Thi Hong Van, Le Cong Quang and Huyen Ton Nu Bao Tien, embarked upon doing research into mushroom biotechnology. Thanks to their efforts, these students created the first batch of mushrooms, even such products made form mushrooms as cookies, jam, and kimchi.

Graduated in 2017 from the university, his passion for mushrooms inspired Kiem to establish the Healthy Fungi Co, Ltd, with an initial capital of only more than 200 million VND, which had been collected from his family, along with savings from his tertiary time and the sale of mushrooms. At that time, the company’s first mushroom growing farm covered an area of only 500m2 in Hoa Nhon Commune, Hoa Vang District.

Healthy Fungi now focuses on developing mushroom cultivation technologies, and providing mushroom embryos and mushroom products.

Healthy Fungi’s products that are domesticated for cultivation by using the single- spore method, show off genome stability, high quality, and better yield.

Another strength is the efficient use of automatic sensors in mushroom growing in order to minimise the environmental impact on crops. This, therefore, helps in increasing yield and saving cost of operation.

The company has cooperated with students of the city -based University of Technology and Science to build an automatic irrigation system suitable for the biological characteristics of different types of mushrooms.

It is notable that not only does Kiem secure himself financially but he also motivates others to spread the mushroom farming. Fully aware of the benefit of mushroom cultivation in helping locals increase their incomes, Kiem decided to introduce growing technologies to the city-based cooperatives, family-run growing facilities, and farmers.

It is worth praising that Healthy Fungi covers the installation cost of about 50 million VND for mushroom farming facilities and buys their mushrooms at high prices, instead of trying to bargain to get a good deal like merchants usually do.

Oyster mushrooms, for instance, are now sold at between 25,000 and 30,000 VND per kg in the local market, whilst the company buys them at higher prices, hovering at from 35,000 and 40,000 VND.

After 2 years of its operation, Healthy Fungi has conducted technology transfer to 10 families and 1 cooperative in Da Nang, along with a number of households and companies in Thua Thien Hue, Vung Tau, Kon Tum, and other localities nationwide.

Since the start of this year, Healthy Fungy has promoted the production of a wide range of mushroom products, notably including biscuits, salted shredded pork, kimchi, pate and jam, all of which boast high added values.

Currently, the company ensures a monthly production capacity of between 400kg to 600kg of mushroom products which are sold on online channels and at many organic food stores across the country.

Despite having already attained significant success, Kiem still desires more from his business. He revealed that his company is now in cooperation with a number of students from the city-based University of Education to research into the production of healthy drinks and cosmetics made from medicinal mushrooms. These products are expected to go on sale in the domestic market in the next 1-2 years.