Kenya’s agricultural sector provides numerous opportunities for agribusiness entrepreneurs. One of the most promising and sustainable ventures is mushroom farming. Some of just a few reasons to farm mushrooms include:
- They are a good source of income with the growing market demand locally and for export and thus a very profitable agribusiness.
- They do not need land tracts of land to farm: just a small space.
- They are a good source of vitamin B-Complex and vitamin C.
- Mushrooms are a powerful source of ergothioneine, an amino acid and antioxidant that prevents or slows cellular damage.
- They stimulate a healthier gut.
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| Mushroom Farming |
Not only is it a high-value crop, but it is also relatively easy to cultivate with minimal resources. In this farming guide, we will explore the potential of provide techniques and strategies for successful mushroom farming, and equip you with the knowledge needed to establish a very profitable and sustainable agriculture business venture.
Also see Complete Guide for Mushroom Farming in Kenya For the Year 2023
Many
people have lately realized what a potential we have in agribusiness in Kenya
and have gone into some of the lucrative ventures in the country such as Kienyeji chicken farming, fruit farming and mushroom farming, whereby mushroom
farming has really pulled many youth especially those in urban settings and
rural settings too.
Best Climatic Conditions for Oyster Mushrooms
The
most important factor for mushroom growing is providing an appropriate
environment both for vegetative and reproductive growth. Success or failure of
mushroom cultivation depends on the control of growing conditions. Mushroom
mycelia grow well with the temperature range between 20 and 30℃. Pins form at
10-20℃ and over 80% of the fruit body is water. The substrate moisture content
should be 60-75%. During fruiting, different relative humidity levels, ranging
from 80-95%, are needed at the early, mid and latter stage. Although the
mycelia can grow without light, some species require light for fruit body
formation. Also being that they are aerobic fungi, mushrooms need fresh air
during growing but
Before
you start to grow mushrooms, you should consider the following:
1.
Potential markets and supply chains
2.
Source of quality spawn that is mushroom
seeds.
3.
Availability of substrate this is the material
on which mushrooms grow.
4.
Availability of supplements which are the additional
nutrients to the substrate.
5.
Production plan to ensure continuous
production.
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| Mushroom Farming in Kenya |
Climatic and Soil Requirements for Mushroom Farming in Kenya
Mushroom
farming in Kenya requires the right climatic and soil conditions to be
successful.
The
ideal temperature for growing mushrooms is between 16 and 22 degrees Celsius,
so you will need to ensure your farm has the optimal environment for optimal
growth.
The
soil should also be well drained, with a pH level between 6 -7. This is
important because the mushroom mycelium needs plenty of oxygen in order to
survive, which it can’t get if the soil is too dense or acidic.
Good
soil drainage will also prevent water logging which can inhibit growth. You’ll
also want to make sure that there’s plenty of organic matter in your soil, as
mushrooms are fungi and need a steady supply of nutrition in order to thrive.
Just remember, even if you have these ideal conditions, it’s essential that you
monitor your farm daily to ensure everything is going smoothly.
Different Varieties of Mushrooms in Kenya
Mushroom
production in Kenya spans a variety of species, each offering different
flavors, textures, and production levels.
1. Button Mushrooms
Button
mushrooms are known for their relatively high yield. Under controlled
conditions, a single square meter of growing area can yield around 10-15
kilograms of mushrooms over several flushes.
2. Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster
mushrooms are prized for their quick growth and high yields. Depending on the
species and cultivation method, a square meter of growing space can yield
anywhere from 15-25 kilograms or more per flush.
Steps in Mushroom Farming in Kenya
Mushrooms
can grow in almost every part of our country provided there is shelter,
reliable water supply and stable temperature in the range of 15 to 30 degrees.
Step 1: Getting Started
Of
course, you need some land to plant your mushroom crop. An eight acre piece of
land would be adequate to set up a large farm that can produce as much as 2 tons
of mushrooms after every 2 months using the shelf-frame method.
Step 2: Build a Simple House
Once
you have secured a good piece of land, you will need to build a simple
mud-house and a few wooden shelves to utilize the vertical space available.
Your local carpenter can help you with this and you can improvise on locally
available materials to save on construction cost. (Note: Make sure the house is
well aerated to allow proper circulation of air).
Step 3: Look for the substrate
The
first and most important supply you will need is the substrate. Substrate is
basically the substance on which mushrooms grow. This can be forest soil, wheat
straw, bean straw, millet straw or even rice straw. Make sure this is
sterilized as the slightest bacterial infection can ruin your entire farm. A
bale of wheat straw costs Ksh200 and you will need about 20 bales.
Step 4: Invest In Nylon Bags
You
will need small bags to prepare the seedlings and also big bags for the final
planting. Small bags like the ones shopkeepers use to package 2KG sugar
normally cost about Ksh100 for 200 pieces. Bigger bags can cost as much as
Ksh15 per piece and you will require about 1000 of them in an eight acre farm.
Step 5: Invest In Good Hygiene
As
you will discover through farm training courses, good hygiene is important in a
mushroom farm. You will therefore need to buy things like hand gloves, methylated
spirit and cotton wool. Other additional supplies that may be needed include
drinking straws and a knapsack sprayer.
Growing Button Mushrooms
For
button mushrooms, this is the composting or substrate production phase. It is
usually the most time-consuming and also most important stage as it determines
the rest of the growing cycle. The ingredients, such as straw, maize (corn)
cobs and chicken manure, are composted. This can be done either mechanically or
manually depending on the available resources on the farm.
This
step involves spawning, a process where the spawn (seed) is mixed with the
substrate (compost/manure). The combination is then put into the
climate-controlled growing houses (mushroom houses) where the substrate is
cased with casing material and closely monitored for humidity and temperature.
Then
small mushrooms start pinning and then grow into caps. The whole farming
process takes about 12 weeks from composting to full maturity. After which the
mushrooms are then hand harvested in about 3-4 flushes or breaks.
Growing Oyster Mushrooms
Oyster mushroom cultivation has a short cycle of 3 weeks to the first harvest. The commonly used substrate is cotton waste which is socked overnight then pasteurized for 4-5 hours. After cooling, spawning of the bags is done in a hygienic environment .The bags are tightened properly and taken in the cropping room for incubation. After 2 weeks of complete colonization, the bags are cut vertically and hanged in the growing room. After 3-4 days of watering, pins are seen which mature to fruit bodies after 2 days if well watered. Mushrooms are harvested and stored in cold rooms or a fridge if not sold shortly after harvest.
Also see Mushroom Farming in Kenya: Oyster Mushrooms Vs. Button Mushrooms.
Challenges in Mushroom Farming
There
are many challenges in mushroom farming. Understanding these problems can help
you succeed in your agribusiness. With a lot of science involved in cultivating
vegetables, many tend to shy off from the venture. Well, it’s true if one is
not well-informed on how to go about it, the results can be frustrating. One of
the major challenges is pests and diseases that affect mushroom production.
Mushrooms
are attacked by a range of pests and diseases during their growth. A cultivator
who was doing so well can end up losing the whole crop if care and attention
are not given. Also, it should be noted that despite care and attention
diseases and pest may find their way into the mushrooms.
For
example, cultivating mushrooms on the same spot for longer periods will greatly
influence the level of attack the cultivator will face.
Pests
Mushroom Mites
Although
other mites can be encountered by the cultivator, two main mites’ members
are considered mushroom pests. These are:
Tarsonemusmyceliophagus
species: They are microscopic hence cannot be seen with naked eyes. They
multiply fast enough to cause significant losses if not controlled. These mites
feed on the hype of the mushroom and any other competing fungi. They can be
detected by examining the mushroom stipes, which turn reddish-brown due to the
biting effects of the mites.
Red Pepper Mites
They
are mostly seen on mushroom caps or the casing materials as sprinkled pepper.
Their appearance is due to their high rate of reproduction and ability to
colonize a surface within days, hence their name. Though not considered
mushroom pests, they facilitate the spread of grey mold and negatively affect
the marketability of the mushrooms.
Though
considered not to be mushroom pests, nonetheless, they are more of predatory
mites, feeding on competing fungi. This should give the cultivator a heads up
that his/her substrate was not well pasteurized or sterilized.
Management
Farm
hygiene is the key to successfully eradicate the mites’ threat. Ensure foot
bath and clean clothes are situated at every house, as mite can be moved by the
cultivar.
Substrate
should be pasteurized or sterilized to the required standards, to kill off
mites, bacteria, fungi, or any other micro-organism.
Mushroom flies.
They
are the major challenge that a cultivator faces when infested by them. Flies
contribute to a higher percentage of contamination of the mushrooms. From
transmitting mites, spreading of competing fungi, egg-laying inside the
substrate, to becoming a nuisance to works, they can significantly reduce
production rates if not controlled.
Flies
are attracted to the mushroom house by the decomposing substrates, which offer
a suitable environment for eggs laying.
Different
species may be encountered during the production process. It’s of great
importance for a cultivator to note the type of fly troubling the production,
which helps in effective control of the fly.
Sciarid
and phorid flies are the common flies infesting the mushroom house causing
drastic losses. Their maggots tunnel through the mushroom stipe resulting in
hollow low-quality mushrooms.
Management
Use
of nets to keep away flies has succeeded. Nets used should target even the
smallest of the flies for effective control.
Proper
ventilation should be always considered to prevent the accumulation of odor
produced by the decomposing substrate which attracts flies.
It
is also crucial to note that hygiene is the most important aspect for
controlling flies. Thus, from substrate preparation to spawning, high standards
or levels of hygiene should be observed.
Diseases
1. Dactylium Disease
Symptoms:
Webbed,
cottony mycelial growth on surface of casing and mushrooms; mycelium is usually
white but may be gray or pink in color; infected mushrooms will develop a soft,
watery rot
Management
Control
of the disease is achieved through good sanitation practices and cultural
control methods; casing should be kept clean and sanitized; all tools and
equipment should be cleaned and sanitized between use; keep beds free of any
mushroom debris; pathogen in susceptible to low humidity and can be inhibited
by lowering the humidity in the growing room
2. Green Mold
Symptoms:
A
dense layer of mycelium is present on casing surface which is initially white
in color but changes to green; developing mushrooms in or near the mycelium are
brown and may be cracked or distorted
Management
Prevention
of disease is best achieved by following good sanitation practices; ensure
compost is properly pasteurized prior to use and sterilize any supplements
3. Verticillium Spot
Symptoms: Small spotting on
mushrooms; mushrooms deformed; surface of mushroom gray and fuzzy; localized
dead areas on cap; pinched areas on cap; fruiting body may no longer be recognizable
as a mushroom; severe infection can cause a deformation known as "dry
bubble" which causes the sporocarp to appear as large puffball like
masses; bubbles will become covered with a gray, fuzzy growth
Management
Bubbles
should not be disturbed by touching and can be destroyed using salt; salt
should be placed in a plastic cup and then placed over the bubbles to dry them
out and provide a barrier to prevent spores spreading; fungicides are available
for the treatment of Verticullium
diseases of mushrooms but many have toxic effects on the mushrooms as they are
themselves a fungus.
Mushroom Farming in Kenya: How Profitable is it? Cost and Market Analysis
Market
According
to the National Farmers Information Service (NAFIS), Kenya produces 500 tons of
mushrooms per year, of which 476 tons are button mushrooms, against an annual
demand of 1200 tons. This means there is a high demand for the crop. A
kilogram of mushroom is priced at between Sh400 and Sh800 at the current wholesale
2024 market price.
A
lot has been done in the medical section form mushrooms, for example in
supplements for patients, capsule tablets, and tea bags for cancer patients, in the cosmetic industry, in domestic
consumption as soups and much more.
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| Ready for Harvest Mushrooms |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is mushroom farming very profitable in
Kenya?
- What are the best climatic conditions for
growing mushrooms in Kenya?
- What are the best varieties to grow in
Kenya?
- How do I start mushroom farming in Kenya?
- What are the market prices for mushrooms?
- How much space do I need for mushroom
farming?
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