KENYA: Small scale farmers are turning to growing mushrooms to meet high demand

Record ID: 361056

  • Title: KENYA: Small scale farmers are turning to growing mushrooms to meet high demand
  • Date: 8th December 2010
  • Summary: ELDORET, KENYA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF METRIN AKINYI, MUSHROOM FARMER DISINFECTING FEET VARIOUS OF METRIN ENTERING MUSHROOM HOUSE MERTRIN INSPECTING MUSHROOMS GROWING IN BAGS VARIOUS OF MUSHROOM PROTRUDING FROM BAG VARIOUS OF METRIN REMOVING STALK FROM BAG (SOUNDBITE) (English) METRIN AKINYI, MUSHROOM FARMER SAYING: "I realised it's a business you can start w
  • Embargoed: 23rd December 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya, Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Industry
  • Reuters ID: LVA84298NG0CACMYZR3PHRSJ3QH1
  • Story Text: Before stepping into her mushroom house, Metrin Akinyi always disinfects her feet and hands.
    Akinyi grows oyster mushrooms for sale in Eldoret town, western Kenya. The entrepreneur decided to invest 250 US dollars in the project last year and says so far she's happy with the results. She says she makes up to 120 dollars per month.
    "I realised it's a business you can start with very little capital and the returns are not bad. Like we use the wheat straws the maize straws, these are leftovers like after the farmers have harvested, you just go and collect from the farm you come and prepare them and then it's only the spore that you come and buy so I realised that it's a very cheap venture,'' said Akinyi.
    The nearby Moi University recently started a project to develop hybrid mushrooms spores for sale. It's hoped that this will attract small scale farmers who can now access spore easily, get information and also help improve their yield.
    "It has taken too long for the farmers to embrace this new technology because there has been no source of seed, some farmers would like to produce the mushroom then they will ask you, where will I get the seed from?,'' said Naboth Ahoya, senior technologist at the campus.
    Most small scale farmers supply hotels and individuals with fresh and dried ones. Some also land in supermarkets. 50 grams of dried mushrooms sell for about two dollars.
    "I like eating mushrooms because they are healthy they work for me just fine. I prefer eating mushrooms instead of beef because they don't have fat. It contains protein. The price is affordable and they are easy to cook.", said Gabriel Wepukulu.
    The country's mushroom sector has room for significant growth. Kenya produces about 100 tones of mushroom annually yet it has potential for over 100,000 tones. To meet the difference, some is imported from China. Due to low production, mushrooms are expensive compared to other vegetables in the market.
    "The farmers will have to increase their production even though it is not easy to grow them. There's such high demand for mushrooms here and it's a lucrative market," said Godfrey Wanjala, a supermarket salesman.
    Small scale farmers in Kenya traditionally grow maize and wheat, yet they are vulnerable to poor sales and drought spells.
    Back at the Akinyi residence, Metrin has included her mother in her business. They sort and pack harvested mushrooms together. The family have also acknowledged the health and medicinal value of mushrooms and have hence made them a part of their daily diet.
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