According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), mushroom cultivation can make a valuable contribution to sustainable livelihoods for both rural and urban poor. This is because they are highly compatible with other livelihood activities, requiring minimal physical and financial inputs and resources. Furthermore, it represents an ideal activity for older people, those in poor health, and also people with physical and mental disabilities. It is in this context that 70 members grouped in “Tuzamurane Village Savings and Loan Association” of whom 30 are people with disabilities while others in other categories of vulnerable people including former beggars have found goldmine in mushroom cultivation in Kimironko Sector of Gasabo District in Kigali City. Delphine Mukakagina, a member of the association said that the benefits from mushroom growing have lifted them out of loneliness and destitution. Photos: Courtesy. Julienne Ugiriwabo, a visually-impaired woman from the Kimironko sector recalls struggling to get basic needs for her family, the situation that worsened during Covid-19 pandemic which has affected businesses and economy in general. However, her life is set to change after venturing into mushroom growing saying that her disability hasn’t become inability. “Being a member of this savings association is now bearing fruit. My life is being transformed to better. We learnt how to grow mushrooms and this is a business that doesn’t require a big place. We hope it will lift us out of destitution,” she said. The mushroom cultivation takes between one to three months depending on species. The association which started with 2, 500 mushroom spores started to harvest three months ago. “We have started to supply mushroom harvest to the market and it also helps to fight malnutrition in our families. Having disability doesn’t mean inability because I joined others to strive for self-reliance and I am able to use my own hands and knowledge,” Ugiriwabo said. According to some farmers one mushroom spore can produce up to two Kilogrammes. The price in Rwanda goes for at least Rwf1, 500 and above according to mushroom farmers. “I have supplied the first mushroom harvest. It helps to satisfy the family needs and pay the rent,” she said. Ugiriwabo was able to earn Rwf108,000 income from her first harvest and managed to buy a Rwf74,000 Cooking gas stove. “We are also playing a part in protecting our environment,” she said. The saving and loan association was founded in the end of last year under the support from UNDP and the Rwanda Governance Board through the Project entitled “Equip Children and Women Beggars as well as Persons with Disabilities with Skills for Life” being implemented by Peace and Hope Initiative , a non-government organization based in Gasabo District. Delphine Mukakagina, another member of the association added that the benefits from mushroom growing have lifted them out of loneliness and destitution. “When we started this association, we started from scratch. Today we have started to mint millions from the business. My four children used to suffer from poor conditions and malnutrition,” she said, adding that all her children are pursuing their education. Coping with Covid-19 impact Thanks to mushroom growing business, the members say Covid-19 hasn’t affected them to a large extent. “Even during the Covid-19 Lockdown we didn’t suffer. We were given a job in mushroom cultivation with Rwf2,000 wage per day which ensured our food security,” she said. Vedaste Habinshuti with physical disability on his leg said that most of the members used to beg. “Mushroom cultivation is a viable business to help vulnerable people like us,” he said. The association has harvested twice, generating Rwf1.5 million from over one tonne of mushroom harvested from April to June and sold at Rwf1,500 price. Last week, the farmers started to harvest again where Rwf200,000 mushrooms were harvested in one. Cecile Mukantagara, 88 years old and the oldest of the association members said mushroom and vegetables growing is the easiest to do at her old age. “Instead of staying in bed, this motivates me to join others and get out of loneliness. Mushrooms are also very nutritious to my health,” she said. Albert Musabyimana, founder of the Peace and Hope Initiative that initiated mushroom growing business for the poor families said that the saving group is also venturing into vegetable growing to increase income. “The families must thrive through entrepreneurship with a view to achieving sustainable development. When they harvest they also do savings which will help to expand their activities,” he said. Seven steps in mushroom production According to FAO Diversification booklet on mushroom cultivation , cultivation activities can play an important role in supporting the local economy by contributing to subsistence food security, nutrition, and medicine; generating additional employment and income through local, regional and national trade; and offering opportunities for processing enterprises. Mushrooms can be cultivated on both a small and large scale. The mushroom cultivation is a cycle that takes between one to three months from start to finish depending on species. The first step, the booklet explains, includes identifying and cleaning a dedicated room or building in which temperature, moisture and sanitary conditions can be controlled to grow mushrooms in. The second step is choosing a growing medium and storing the raw ingredients in a clean place under cover and protected from rain and the third step is pasteurizing or sterilizing the medium and bags in which, or tables on which mushrooms will be grown. This is done to exclude other fungi that would compete for the same space. The fourth step requires seeding the beds with spawn (spores from mature mushrooms grown on sterile media) while the fifth step includes maintaining optimal temperature, moisture, hygiene and other conditions for mycelium growth and fruiting, which is the most challenging step; adding water to the substrate to raise the moisture content since it helps ensure efficient sterilization. The sixth step entails harvesting and eating, or processing, packaging and selling the mushrooms while the 7th step includes cleaning the facility and beginning again. According to FAO, a mushroom house large enough to hold 1 000 mushroom bags can be built for less than US$15, utilizing the materials available locally.
