04.10.2025 12:15
In the Kozan M-Type Open and Closed Penal Institution in Adana, inmates produced "Red Reishi" mushrooms, which have many health benefits and are also used as a medicinal plant. It was noted that 70% of this mushroom, which is grown on logs, is imported into Turkey, and its price can reach up to 15,000 TL per kilogram.
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Courses for inmates continue at the Adana Kozan Type M Open and Closed Penitentiary Institution. In this prison, where many courses are offered, from Adana kebab to carpet weaving, mushroom production has now started. Within the framework of the Education and Training Cooperation Protocol signed between the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of National Education, a 'Mushroom Cultivation Course' was organized for inmates.
INMATES PRODUCED "RED REISHI" MUSHROOM
Within the scope of the mushroom cultivation course, inmates both learned and produced 'Red Reishi' mushrooms, which are sold for up to 15 thousand TL per kilogram and grown on logs. From the first harvest of the mushrooms produced under artificial climate control on 6 logs, which were tried for the first time in the region, 3.5 kilograms of product were obtained. The harvest was carried out together by the inmates and the institution's management. 51 inmates who participated in the course conducted in cooperation with the District Public Education Center successfully completed their training.
"IT WAS A COMPLETELY LOCAL PRODUCTION"
Mushroom producer Yasin Soylu, who served as a master instructor in the practical part of the course, said, "We grew the Red Reishi mushroom in log culture for experimental purposes. It was a completely local production, and we reached the harvest stage. Normally, 70% of this product is imported, but we managed to grow it here. We achieved production with artificial climate control in a 40-day process. Our inmates did all the stages by hand," he said.
IT CAN REACH UP TO 15 THOUSAND TL PER KILOGRAM
Soylu, who explained that they obtained 3.5 kilograms of product from 6 logs, stated, "It is possible to get yield from these logs for 10 years. It is known from national and international research that Reishi mushrooms are used in the fight against cancer. It is consumed in powder form at a rate of 6 grams per day. A 100-gram package is valued at 1,500 TL, and a kilogram can reach up to 15 thousand TL. This shows how valuable the product is," he said.
"WE AIM TO ESTABLISH SPECIAL WORKSHOPS FOR MUSHROOM CULTIVATION"
Kozan Open Penitentiary Institution Director Halil Selçuk Alan stated that the production areas of the institution will be expanded. Alan said, "We successfully carried out trial productions of Red Reishi mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, and cultivated mushrooms. We provided training to 51 inmates, and we will train 27 more inmates with 2 new courses we will open. Our prison also has carpet and Adana kebab workshops. Now we aim to establish special workshops for mushroom cultivation. Our goal here is to enable inmates to acquire a profession or improve their existing skills," he informed.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF RED REISHI MUSHROOM
It has been stated that the Red Reishi mushroom provides benefits in many areas, from strengthening the immune system to breast and lung cancer, from problems in the kidney and vascular system to prostate issues, and from strengthening hair roots to regulating cholesterol.
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