An estimated 80 to 90 percent of Asia's disabled live in rural areas, many of them in extreme poverty. Agro-industrial enterprises have been identified as a field in which they can earn much needed cash. A pioneer project to train disabled people to grow and sell mushrooms is being set up by FAO and the Government of Thailand. Jacobson, himself disabled, has been campaigning for disabled people for 17 years. Many disabled people are employed in vocational training centres, but the government is also using tax and legislative incentives to encourage NGOs and the private sector to train and employ disabled people.
Mushrooms are almost a staple food in Thailand, traditionally eaten at most meals.
Their market price is well above that of most other horticultural products. Mushroom cultivation has been identified as appropriate for people with a wide range of disabilities, particularly those in wheelchairs. Psychological satisfaction for the growers also ranks high on the list of reasons why the project is desirable. Eiichi Takada of Japan, who is hearing impaired, spoke on Sensorially Disabled People in Rural Areas of Japan. Cyril Siriwardene, from Sri Lanka, himself motor disabled, covered Motor and Upper Limb Disabled People in the Agricultural Industry in the Region.