Oyster mushrooms are the most popular type of mushroom grown in Africa, as they are relatively easy to grow and can be grown on a variety of substrates, including wood chips, sawdust, and straw.
Locally known as Swahili: Uyoga; Luhya: Obwoba; Luo: Obwolo; Kikamba: Makunu; Kikuyu: Makunu; Kalenjin: Bobar. Cultivated mushrooms are edible fungi that grow on decaying organic matter, known as a substrate. They do not rely on sunlight to grow. Mushrooms start as very small spores then grow in the substrate to produce a network of fine white filaments called mycelium then the mushroom fruit is produced, which is then harvested. Mushrooms are a valuable source of food and their cultivation can be a viable small-scale business, but investing in a mushroom growing scheme can be risky so looking for potential markets and supply chains is a priority.
Oyster Mushroom is the easiest to farm and take a shorter period to grow.
Maturity: 30 Days
Expected Yield: 2kg of substrate produce 0.5 kgs of Mushroom.
Nutritional Value: Mushrooms are a rich, low calorie source of fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They may also mitigate the risk of developing serious health conditions, such as Alzheimer's, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Growing Room Temperature: 18 - 25 C. Growing house to maintain humidity of (RH 65-95%) with dim lighting.