Optimizing mushroom spawn production in Uganda
Lead Research Organisation:
QUADRAM INSTITUTE BIOSCIENCE
Department Name: UNLISTED
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
This project aims to deliver technological and socio-technical innovation in Uganda to establish mushroom farming as a cottage industry where supply of mushroom spawns is guaranteed. The 1st aim of the project is to establish a national mushroom germplasm bank at the Ugandan National Agriculture Research Laboratory (NARL) and a mushroom spawn production facility for providing access to good quality mushroom spawn. Mushroom production of can be achieved without capital-intensive investment and plays an environmental protection role through the recycling and upgrading of a wide variety of organic wastes. However, a major impediment for mushroom growers in lower income countries is access to good quality spawn. The 2nd aim of the project is Clostridium botulinum hazard assessment and valorization of waste streams from mushroom production. No systematic survey of prevalence of C. botulinum in soil samples is available in Central Africa. Prevalence of C. botulinum in feedstock used for growing mushrooms in Uganda is timely for quantifying risk of this pathogen, since 30 ng of neurotoxin is sufficient to cause illness and in some cases death. Spent mushroom substrate (SMS), a lignocellulose waste product from mushroom cultivation can be transformed into alternative added value materials. SMS can be incorporated directly into soil as a structuring agent, has the potential to be pretreated, enzymatically digested, to produce monosaccharides, which can then be fermented to produce a range of products including fuel ethanol. Equally, mycelial component in SMS will contain a range of potentially bioactive polysaccharides e.g. ß-glucans, mannans and proteoglycans, for use as health-conferring compounds. The 3rd aim of the project is to engage with stakeholders (farmer groups, private/cooperative spawn- and mushroom-producing enterprises, government agencies, research/training institutions) for expanding and diversifying spawn production and mushroom cultivation in Uganda.
Planned Impact
unavailable
| Description | Major outputs included: (i) increased output of high quality spawn and mushroom produce in the project area; (ii) an elective course in mushroom biology approved by the Makerere University Senate, and a mushroom training facility launched, at Makerere University; (iii) Two Makerere University lecturers and a Ugandan Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) researcher trained in China to collect and preserve germplasm, establish a gene bank, produce spawn, and develop and teach courses in mushroom biology; (iv) Mushroom spawn production laboratory upgraded and a mushroom growing room completed at the Mushroom Training and Resource Centre (MTRC) in Kabale; (vi) facilities at Makerere and UIRI upgraded to collect and preserve mushroom cultures, and establish a gene bank; (vii) risk of mushroom contamination with soil-borne Clostridium botulinum assessed and reported to be virtually non-existent; (viii) bioactive compounds in SMS assessed and reported not to be cost-effective as a value addition option; (ix) a gasified stove was tested and is being modified based on farmers' feedback; (x) a market study report that underlines poor quality spawn and underdeveloped market in Uganda; (xi) a website that allows partners to share ideas and that serves as a repository for project documents; |
| Exploitation Route | This project has contributed to Uganda's overall agricultural objective of improving food and nutritional security, increasing household income, and improving livelihoods of people of Uganda. In the two regions (western and southwest) targeted by the project, the effect of upgrading spawn production and mushroom growing facilities, and strengthening extension services, is clearly evident. However, weighed against the potential for expanding mushroom production in the country, the current spawn and mushroom production infrastructure is still woefully inadequate. As an emerging agricultural enterprise, strategic growth should be underpinned by a strong mushroom policy and legislative framework, which ensures targeted support to the industry. While the project has successfully worked with partners to contribute to the increase in household incomes and food security in two provinces, there is need for scaling up high quality spawn and mushroom production in other regions and hence substantial investments are needed to grow and sustain the mushroom business in Uganda. While the project ends in February 2016, established partnerships and strategically developed capacities will ensure that vital aspects of the mushroom value chain such as mushroom training and education, and quality spawn and mushroom production in targeted regions areas continue beyond the end of the project |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
| URL | http://mushroom.ifr.ac.uk |
| Description | The findings in the project will be useful when formulating the mushroom policy and strategy in Uganda. To ensure the mushroom industry in Uganda grows and contributes to national food security, increases household incomes and improves livelihoods, the government should: (i) formulate a national mushroom policy and strategy to guide the industry; (ii) enforce the provisions of the Constitution, Land Act and Succession Act to ensure women benefit from the provision for equitable land ownership; (iii) support development of the mushroom market at all levels; (iv) strengthen strategic partnerships to generate, update and document scientific and indigenous technical knowledge on wild mushrooms in Uganda; (v) ensure sustainable use of wild mushroom genetic resources; (vi) promote the enterprise; (vii) enforce quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC); (viii) facilitate development and dissemination of mushroom production and marketing technologies and practices; and (ix) mainstream mushroom biology, production, and conservation in various sectors |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Impact Types | Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | Stakeholder workshop in Hoima, Uganda |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This dissemination event facilitated a dialogue with key mushroom stakeholders in the Bunyoro region in Uganda. Since the mushroom growing environment in this region is different from the highland region in Uganda, where the 1st dissemination was held, constraints and challenges faced by the stakeholders in the production and marketing of mushrooms within the region was discussed to identify opportunities for increased mushroom production and marketing. The stakeholders for this event included; farmers from within the region and outside, spawn producers, researchers and local government official. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |