Value addition: What does tomorrow hold for mushroom growing?

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The Harvest Money Expo 2025 that took place at Namboole Stadium from February 14-16 was a clear indication that Ugandans are embracing farming as a viable livelihood. Sponsored by aBi, Tunga Nutrition, Uganda Development Corporation, Pepsi, Bella Wine, Kingdom of Netherlands, and Engsol, the three-day event has earned its place on Kampala’s social calendar.

As many look for hustles to make ends meet in a cash-strapped economy, some simple farming activities, unbeknownst to them, could be the elixir to their problem. Abel Kiddu of African Mushroom Growers (U) Ltd says the future of mushroom growing is bright because with value addition, they can earn a lot more. While illustrating value addition, Kiddu got some dried mushrooms with the help of his assistant and put them in a grinder to make powder.

“One kilo of fresh mushrooms costs between sh6000 and sh10,000, but a 250g container of powdered mushrooms goes for sh10,000,” he says. This eventually means that from a kilo of powdered mushrooms, a farmer can make sh100,000. For that matter, he calls on mushroom farmers to specialise because they may not be able to do all the value-added products, but they can master some products.

“We need to invest in research of other mushroom types like medicinal mushrooms,” he says, wondering if the government can assist with that research. Additionally, he says, “We are in the process of making mushroom sausage because it is important to create demand for mushrooms.”

Arthur Atukunda, who travelled all the way from Kyenjojo to attend the expo, said he had tried to grow mushrooms and failed. “I did not see any results, and so I have come to learn how to grow mushrooms,” he said.

(Credit: Maria Wamala)

(Credit: Maria Wamala)

Alan Sentamu from Kisoga in Mukono said he wanted to know where to get mushroom seeds and learn how to grow it. “I have heard a lot about mushroom growing on the radio, and I want to try it,” said Sentamu. The mushroom-growing fever has caught on, and Swaibu Gumusiriza from Mbarara said he wanted to gain more knowledge at the expo. “We grow mushrooms as a family, and I want to get more knowledge about them and also get suppliers of mushroom gardens,” he said.

The mushroom training session attracted Linda Nabatanzi from Kibuku, who like others wanted to learn more about mushroom growing.

“Where I come from, in the east, we only have fish and beans as sauce. So, I want to grow mushrooms in order to improve our sauce options,” she said.

Growing mushrooms is one thing, but marketing them is another, and that is why Moses Kawanda came to the expo. Travelling from Mukono, he attended the expo to learn about how best to market them. Some, like Jane Rose Basangwa, have tried growing mushrooms, but the results have been lacklustre.

“I have 15 mushroom gardens, but I have not been successful; one side gives me mushrooms. Yet we began growing them in 2016,” she said, explaining that she had visited the expo to learn the best practice for mushrooms.

Hailing from as far as Rukungiri, Ivan Mwebaze, also went to the expo to learn about the popular mushroom-growing project as a business. Even Hoima City was represented by Yelusa Sunday, who visited the expo to increase her income by trying out mushroom growing to earn more. “I want to improve my income by joining mushroom growing,” she said.

To Helen Nalwogga from Nyenga, the expo presented an opportunity to learn about mushroom growing and the types of mushrooms there are. “I want to learn about mushroom growing: is it in a room or a garden? What types are there? Where can we find the market?” she said.

These expo-goers sat eagerly waiting for the trainer, Abel Kiddu of African Mushroom Growers (U) Ltd, to show them the ropes of mushroom growing. He did not disappoint them.