Farmers in Juja Sub-County, Kiambu County have benefited from a three-day training on Mushrooms to boost local agriculture and enhance food security.
The training workshop marks a significant step towards empowering farmers in Juja, with the knowledge and resources needed to venture into mushroom farming successfully.
The workshop the first ever to be conducted in Juja was done by the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology Enterprises (JKUATES), in partnership with Tumikia Mtoto under United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Juja Administration and UNAITAS.
According to the organizers, the workshop, held at JKUATES, aimed to educate farmers on the various aspects of mushroom farming, including production, value addition, marketing, and utilization of mushroom products.
This initiative is part of JKUATES’s broader objective to strengthen community livelihoods through improved food security, nutrition, and health resilience.
Patrick Kanyi, founder and Senior Technician at JKUAT said that the sensitization workshop provided valuable information and practical insights into mushroom cultivation techniques, the economic benefits of mushroom farming, and the potential for mushrooms to contribute to a healthier diet and sustainable income.
“We are excited about this partnership and the potential it holds for our farmers. Mushroom farming can significantly improve food security and provide a sustainable income source, and we are committed to supporting our farmers every step along the way,” Kanyi added.
Assistant County Commissioner of Witeithie division, Cecilia Mbugua, appreciated the residents of Juja for participating in the workshop and appreciated the efforts of USAID and JKUAT to empower them.
The training that the farmers will gain here, will not only see the country address food security, but the farmers themselves will see their lives improved economically, she added.
“I am grateful to the collaboration that has come to empower parents, youth and community at large and educate them on mushroom farming,” Mbugua said.
“Through such efforts, we aim to channel the energy and potential of the youth towards building a safer and more prosperous society,” she said.
The participants, who came from various farming backgrounds, were enthusiastic about the new opportunities presented by mushroom farming.
UNIATAS and Tumikia Mtoto-USAID representatives also expressed their enthusiasm for the project, highlighting its importance in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing the livelihoods of local communities.
“We are really happy to see our farmers enthusiastic in learning about mushroom farming and I am glad JKUAT has taken this initiative to promote sustainable agricultural practices,” said Peter Njoroge from USAID.
Chege Thuku, head of Juja City University Young African Leaders CBO, expressed optimism about the long-term impact of the initiative saying equipping farmers with the necessary skills and knowledge will catalyze a positive transformation in the agricultural landscape of Juja, promoting self-sufficiency and resilience.
The three-day workshop sponsored by USAID will see farmers gain knowledge and build on the extensive research and effort by JKUATES to address the shortage of mushroom supply locally.
As the first Kenyan institution to develop certified mushroom seeds (spawn), JKUAT has been pivotal in promoting mushroom farming.
According to agriculture experts, Mushroom production provides a number of opportunities for improving the sustainability of small farming systems and rural development.
Edible mushroom production is a particularly effective form of bioconversion technology and can be based on a wide range of agricultural by-products.
Additionally, the substrate remains after the mushroom has been harvested form a good organic fertilizer for the soil.
This makes mushroom farming an environmentally friendly venture.
By Sylvia Wanjohi
