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VOL.3 July 2011
Mushrooming Business
Rwandans benefit from Chinese agriculture techniques in both income generation and nutritional value
by Gertrude Majyambere

A group of 48 Rwandans were recently trained in mushroom growing, sericulture, soil erosion and upland rice technology, using Chinese knowhow. Mushroom growing technique is part of the course held at the Commercial Farming at Iwawa's Rehabilitation and Vocational Development Center, where former street children are taken and trained in a variety of income generating activities.

 

Small beginnings

Professor Lin Zhanxi, Director of Rwanda Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center, said this method of growing mushrooms has a success story in southeast China, where it improved the lives of rural Chinese.

Lin told ChinAfrica that mushrooms can be grown in the confines of a person's own backyard for small-scale production and can generate income that aids in family support.

"Mushroom cultivation is a most popular activity for development programs targeting income generation among women, especially in rural communities," he said.

Mushroom production has been popular in the last 50 years in Fujian, southeast China as the most appropriate job for the poor, landless farmers and it's a success story that can be replicated to Rwanda, said the professor.

"The climate of Rwanda is highly favorable for high volume of mushroom production and this provides one of the most lucrative agricultural jobs," he said, adding that 1 square meter of land can produce 30.5 kg.

The farm gate price (below retail price) of mushrooms on average is between $3 and $4 per kg, compared to a tuber, which is $1. With an investment of around $50, a farmer would reap more than $400 over a three-month period, said Lin.

 

Well suited

Agricultural technology provided by the center is well suited to Rwanda, which has limited land and high population density, and crops like mushrooms that need small land space and a one-week harvest period will play an important role in poverty alleviation.

Lin Zhansen, one of the Chinese course trainers, said there are four demonstration sites already established, including the Abaruhuje (Cooperative) with 22 members, of which 19 are women, who have become specialized commercial mushroom farmers with the center's support.

Mushrooms are considered highly nutritious and good for children and the elderly, and because of its high economic value, provide a good income from production.

In many areas of Rwanda where the technology was introduced, farmers have grown mushrooms in a small scale and have benefited directly.

Agnes Kalibata, Rwandan Minister of Agriculture, hailed the center saying it provides the modern practices and appropriate land husbandry.

"The project suits Rwanda, we intend to use the center to improve the whole value chain, from planting, harvesting and processing into mushroom powder for soup," she said.

Kalibata clarified that the center will basically provide skills that can be used for both commercial mushroom growing and for home consumption.

"Commercial purpose yes, but our aim is to make it known to all Rwandans for a revolution of nutritional needs because mushrooms are rich in proteins with strong immunity properties," Kalibata said.

 

Properties

Experts say that mushrooms are not only sources of nutrients but have also been reported to be effective as therapeutic foods, useful in preventing diseases such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and cancer.

It is estimated that 17 tons of mushrooms are produced annually in Rwanda, with the local market still demanding more.

They have managed to adopt the technology in a simpler way whereby they can afford to invest on a small scale, utilizing coffee wastes and paddy straw as mulch.

"I believe, with the support from the Chinese Government and Rwandan Government, we will work together to make our contribution in increasing food supply, creating job opportunities and reducing poverty for the Rwanda people," Lin said.

The center will also help students in their final year from the faculty of agriculture at the National University of Rwanda to set up a mushroom cooperative.

"By using simple materials like crop waste you can produce mushroom within seven days for subsistence consumption to market, hence saying goodbye to malnutrition and poverty," said Théogène Ndayambaje, a student and trainee.

The old method of planting in sacks would mean a farmer had to wait for 30 days before the first harvest. Now the short growing cycle means that they can be harvested four times a year, thereby giving a greater and faster return than any other plant grown in the region.

Li Yaohong, Chinese Economic and Commercial Counselor, said that China is willing to share with Rwanda its agricultural technology and skills to improve yields of crops, which will in return provide a solution for food security.

"The training course is just the beginning of a series of courses," he said. The center is expected to be fully functional by August 2011.

 

(Reporting from Rwanda)

 

 

 

 

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