As a farmer, there are many things you would like to know about mushrooms. Luckily, we have covered most in this post.
What do you need to know about mushrooms?
I have been thinking about the mushroom business.
What do you require to start a mushroom money-minting enterprise? ..
You will be surprised when it hits you that you do not need much.
Here I will talk about the basics of mushroom farming and encourage you to give it a try. Importantly, I want you to look at it this way..
There is a shortage in the supply of mushrooms in the Kenyan market despite their high nutritional value. Yet not many farmers are reaping cash from it
Why?
The reason is that most of those who have ventured in the business have not been persistent. They quit when they are just about to start! Secondly, most people do not do a market research before starting the venture- by this I mean, they do not even at least brainstorm about possible markets.
The third and the major reason is that most people do not have the information about mushroom farming. Many are also not aware of the requirements of mushroom farming. And..
.. most farmers in agribusiness do not know that they can add value to their mushroom products by branding them- and this is the secret to enhancing your sales and laughing all the way to the bank.
Today, I just want to shine some light on the basic necessities of mushroom farming, in an effort to close this information gap.
Requirements:
The other thing to know about mushrooms is their requirements:
1. You will need a small house/room. It can be a mud house or the normal brick houses. Just ensure that the room is dark and well ventilated. What this tells you also, is that you can do mushroom farming in the rural or urban areas.
2. Wooden shelves- for placing your mushroom bags (containing mushrooms ready for germination).
3. A charcoal jiko or normal village-like, firewood-fireplace (mawe tatu).. What for? This is where you will be lighting fire to sterilize (killing germs) in your substrate.
4. Metallic drum (50 litre and above) – for sterilizing the substrate. You heat your mushroom planting materials (e.g. rice straws) in this container.
5. Substrate- this is like soil where you plant seeds but now, this time you use materials like rice straw, hay, bean straw, wheat straw, saw dust, etc. This is where you add your seeds or spawn.
6. Spawn- they are like seeds buy not the usual ones. These are the mushroom seeds called spawn. When you add these to the substrate and put them in the right conditions, they grow into mushrooms which you harvest and sell..
7. Nylon/ plastic bags. These are used for holding the substrate + spawn. They are placed on shelves in your small dark room. You leave the mushrooms for approximately 21 days and above for full colonization (the spreading of mushroom seeds throughout the substrate). After that, the mushrooms themselves- called the fruiting bodies should start emerging and enlarging over the next 7 days and above. Cut them and start selling.
Note
You have to do some planning so that you budget for the rent/house, cost of spawn- which is readily available in the market (JKUAT and some other dealers), source and price of substrate (hay), firewood or charcoal, drum, timber.
But do not worry about all these expenses. Commercial mushroom farming is one of the easiest and most affordable business to start as long as you have given it all your might and interest.
You can always start small with the little you have and grow over time. Even if you feel like you are not doing fine, do not despair. Remember, it is only after you keep pushing that you will make a difference between a wishful person and a doer or entrepreneur..
Next time, I will focus more on the markets and ways of ensuring that you really earn from this venture.
Keep #following.. I hope you enjoyed the read. Also keep bombarding me with queries, comments, and inputs coming.
Thank u Oh!
Photos #Courtesy
