MUSHROOM PRODUCTION IN UGANDA.

Commercial introduction of mushroom started in 1989 following the government ,introduction of oyster mushrooms from Egypt to Kawanda Agricultural Research Institute (KARI).

Uganda currently produces mushrooms on amedium scale with statistics not available with the price of fresh mushrooms ranging from 4,000/= to 7,000/= per kg and dried mushrooms ranging from 50,000/= to 60,000/= per kilo.Ugandas mushroom production is very low to sastify both local and the international markert.

Mushrooms are unique and different from other crops in that they require avery small space ,therefore suitable for the landless farmers and urban farmers,not weather dependant ,this is because it is grown indoors and therefore can be produced throught the year,they are grown on avariety of agricultural and industrial wastes like coffeehusks,cotton hulls,rice husks,wheat husks,dried pasparum,dried banana leaves and many others.They are also an excellent source of vitamin B,nicotinic acid and pantothenic acid,therefore can be used to supplement human dietery requirements.

Since it involves alot of activities and purely done in doors ,it creates employment opportunities to the many especially women who are house maids and children.

In uganda mushroom production sector has some constrtaints that have hindered its development they include;

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  Lack of awareness and sensitisation by the responsible bodies and farmers on the importance and economic feasibility of mushrooms


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  Lack of markert for both fresh and dried mushrooms as most farmers grow alot mushrooms and fail to get where to sell them.


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  No simplified production manual to guide and help farmers interms of production techniques,problems related and their solution.

Therefore, theres still along way for mushroom production in Uganda to develop if at all responsible bodies fails to intervene and help.With the problems related to mushroom production outlined above,they have made Miss Manige Merab who is agraduate at makerere university with a Bsc in Horticulture carry out many research activities to help farmers dealing with mushroom production, such research include,
1. Evaluation of different baggings for mushroom production to replace polythene bags(this is because polythene bagssale were banned frm sale in uganda.
2. Value addition of mushroom into amuhrooms soup.This is done with support from Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) to produce the best soup.(this is mainly to help farmers add value to their mushroom for easy penetration and attainment of markert) mushroom soup and porridge already available on the makert.

Lastly Manige Merab has published a small bookletentitled "Mushroom Production Guide"volume one and volume 11 .for more information and in need of amushroom guide book and training contact;manigemerab@yahoo.com,Tel ,0783662876/0706566281