For you to feature among the successful mushroom farmers in Kenya and even make millions of clean money, it is important to undertake mushroom farming training in Kenya.
Mushroom farming is one of the most successful agribusinesses you can start with little money and a small amount of land. Mushrooms are the fungus’ fruiting body. Mushrooms from fungus species are a nutrient-dense vegetarian delicacy with a high-quality protein content.
White mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), paddy-straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea), and oyster mushroom are the three most common mushroom types now being grown (Pleurotus sajor-caju).
Perhaps you are a beginner and would like to understand how to grow mushrooms in Kenya. These guide has everything to get you started as a learner. Mushroom farming training in Kenya is what you need to get started in these lucrative business.
Securing Land For Mushroom Farming
You’ll need some land to plant your mushroom crop. A 1/8th acre plot of land would be sufficient for establishing a big farm capable of producing up to 2 tonnes of mushrooms every two months (using shelf-frame method).
House To Grow Mushroom
Once you’ve found a suitable plot of land, you’ll need to construct a basic mudroom and a few wooden shelves to take use of the available vertical space. Your local carpenter can assist you with this, and you may save money by improvising using locally available materials.
To ensure adequate air circulation, make sure the home is thoroughly aerated.
Find Mushroom Substrate For Farming
The substrate is the first and most crucial item you’ll need. The material on which mushrooms grow is known as the substrate. Forest soil, wheat straw, bean straw, millet straw, or even rice straw can all be used.
Ensure that the substrate for mushroom farming is sterilized, since even a minor bacterial infection may devastate your entire farm. Wheat straw costs Ksh200 a bale, and you’ll need roughly 20 bales.
Buy Nylon Bags For Mushroom Seedlings
Small bags will be needed to prepare the seedlings, as well as large bags for the final planting. Small bags, like as the ones used by merchants to package 2kg sugar, cost around Ksh.100 for 200 pieces. Larger bags can cost up to Ksh.15 each piece, and a 1/8 acre farm will require around 1000 of them.
Minimize Contamination
Good cleanliness is essential to engage in successful mushroom farming in Kenya. As a result, you’ll need to get items like hand gloves, methylated spirit, and cotton wool. A package of gloves, as well as methylated alcohol and cotton wool, costs less than Ksh1,000.
Drinking straws (Ksh1,000) and a knapsack sprayer are two more items that may be required (Ksh5,000).
Purchase Certified Mushroom Seeds
Finally, several mushroom seedlings known as spawns are required. Button spawns are the most popular and easiest to sell. These may be purchased through KARI or JKUAT.
The cost of a kilogram of button spawning is Ksh1,000. You’ll just need 5 kg to get started. Shiitake and oyster mushrooms are two more types of mushrooms you may grow.
Starting Capital For Mushroom Farming
Cost of starting a mushroom farm in Kenya is about Ksh. 230,000 for an 1/8 of an acre for the first time. Subsequent cost is about Ksh. 150,000.
Construction of the farmhouse, equipment purchases, and painting costs total Ksh. 230,000 on a 1/8-acre farm. The prices are lower if you don’t have to create a full mud home and can use an available free room. The shelves and a robust ventilation system will cost you only Ksh.15,000 to install.
However, when you’ve built the mushroom farming house, you’ll just have to spend Ksh. 150,000 in following seasons to buy spawning, water, and labor.
Expected Earnings From Mushroom Farming In Kenya
Button mushrooms only need two months to grow and mature. A one-eighth-acre farm can maintain 1000 bags, yielding up to two tons. A farmer may sell one kilogram to a consumer for 600 KSHs, generating 1.2 million KSHs in income.
Mushrooms may be purchased in Kenya at large grocery outlets for between Ksh. 400 to Ksh. 600 per kg. Individual vendors provide a better deal at 500 KSH per kg.
Mushroom farming is profitable because the compost may be sold once it has been used. For 2000 KSHs, a 50 kilogram bag may be purchased.
Market For Mushrooms In Kenya
If you wonder where can I sell mushrooms in Kenya? Some popular market is Nairobi which has the largest mushroom demand in Kenya. They are mostly cultivated in Eldoret, Kisii, and Kericho, then brought to Nairobi for sale.
There are specific mushroom buyers in Kenya you can contact whenever you have your mushrooms ready.
Some of the top 9 mushroom buyers in Kenya include:
- Jolin Farm. Phone: 0705 880312.
- ELIMA Mushroom. Phone: 0725 498252.
- Mushrooms by ANNE Kimathi. Phone: 0721 443198.
- Mushroom Guru Kenya. Phone: 0731 079150.
- Mushrooms Kenya. Phone: 0705 210033.
- Mushroom Blue Kenya. Phone: 0774 187905.
- Richmum International Ltd. Phone: 0739 262 001.
- DimJim Mushrooms. 0736 232478.
- WEGA Mushrooms. 0789 513420.
