How Lebanon Became a Hub for Mushroom AgriTech

By TAMER HATOUM — Founder, MRTECH

1. The Agricultural DNA of Lebanon

Lebanon’s mountainous terrain, moderate climate, and tradition of organic farming have long made it a fertile ground for agriculture. Even in times of economic instability, Lebanese farmers have adapted with remarkable ingenuity. In remote villages and urban rooftops alike, small-scale growers have leveraged hydroponics, aquaponics, and now — mushroom farming.

2. The Rise of Mushrooms in the Middle East

Over the last decade, mushrooms have seen growing popularity in the Middle East. With increasing demand for plant-based protein, culinary experimentation, and wellness-focused ingredients like lion’s mane and reishi, mushrooms are no longer niche. Lebanon's accessibility to European markets, fertile compost materials, and skilled labor gave it a unique competitive edge.

3. Problems Spark Innovation

However, scaling mushroom operations requires precise control over environmental variables: temperature, humidity, CO₂, airflow, and light. Manual farming becomes inefficient and risky. This is where Lebanon’s tech talent stepped in.

At MRTECH, we started building MashFarm — a smart automation system designed to simplify and enhance mushroom farming. Our experience in electronics, embedded systems, and agriculture gave birth to a fully integrated hardware-software platform that is proudly made in Lebanon.

4. From Villages to Vertical Farms

Today, mushroom farms in Lebanon are no longer limited to traditional cave-like settings. With the help of MashFarm, farmers can now run automated incubation and fruiting rooms with minimal human intervention. Our system supports:

• Smart Irrigation
• Humidity Control Units
• CO₂-Based Ventilation
• Stage-Based Profiles (Incubation, Fruiting, etc.)
• Mobile Monitoring & Alerts

What started in a garage has now been deployed in multiple farms — and we're actively expanding to Egypt and the broader MENA region.

5. Building a Regional Ecosystem

Lebanon’s role isn’t limited to invention. Through partnerships with agricultural consultants, universities, and cooperative networks, we’re building a support system for mushroom growers. Free webinars, on-site training, and early adopter discounts are part of our mission to elevate the entire ecosystem.

6. Lebanon as an AgriTech Brand

Our goal is not just to sell hardware. It's to position Lebanon as a forward-thinking, capable producer of agricultural technologies. In doing so, we create jobs, reduce import dependency, and inspire the next generation of makers.

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Mushroom farmers in Lebanon, Egypt, and beyond — if you're looking to modernize your farm, get in touch. We offer free consultations and early adopter incentives.