Atwine mushrooming money

By Stella Naigino

After quitting her job as an officer in the army, she decided to grow mushrooms so that to earn a living.

Annet Atwine loved mushrooms because they grow very first yet they are a delicacy.

She sought skills on how to grow mushrooms from those already in the business.

What it takes

Atwine says mushrooms are the easiest plants to deal in and once one masters the basics, they never regret doing it.

She says one needs a mushroom house which should be a cool and dark room big enough to provide the room temperature for mushrooms to do well.

Atwine harvesting mushrooms from the cropping house. PHOTO/ Stella Naigino

After one will need cotton husks and a tank of water used to soak the cotton husks.

She adds that a water guard is also a requirement that is used to kill water germs where the husks are to be dipped before being planted in black polythene bags

Process of planting

Mushrooms have different types but Atwine deals with the oyster type which she says does well.

Atwine explains that mushroom growing starts with soaking the cotton husks for 12 hours.

After, water is drained out of the husks and then the mushroom seeds are put in the cotton husks, packed in black polythen bags, tied tight and taken to the dark mushroom house which is also called the incubator.

Atwine checking on her mushrooms after transferring them to the cropping house

While here, it takes the mushrooms 14-21 days to mature and thereafter taken to the cropping house where they are harvested from.

"Harvesting can also be done in 14-21 days and the process continues, "Atwine explains.

She says mushrooms do better in cool and dark places and once a farmers starts to harvest, the yields are continuous.

Marketing

Atwine says market is available which has worked to her advantage. She sells her mushrooms at shs 5000 a kilo.

She supplies to supermarkets, restaurants and also the locals around her home area always buy her mushrooms.

Challenges

Atwine is faced with a challenge of finding husks which are  hard to find yet they are on high demand.

"Sometimes we have to go as far as Hoima, Kasese, Mbale and we buy a bag at shs20, 000,"she explains.

She adds that mushrooms perish so when some people make orders and they don't respond, she makes loses.

Achievements

Atwine can't hold back a smile while talking about her achievements. She says it has helped her pay school fees for her children and also grows financially.

She makes over sh700,000 per harvest which money she re invests to expand that now she is growing mushrooms on a commercial basis.

She has also become an expert that people come to her for training in mushroom growing which she does at a cost of sh50,000 per week hence adding on her financial welfare.