Community-Based Button Mushroom Cultivation Project
As part of our ongoing CSR commitment, Mtito Safari Camp introduced a two-month Community-Based Button Mushroom Cultivation Project. This initiative focuses on empowering the Mtito Mara community through accessible, sustainable, and profitable agricultural practices. The project is designed to provide hands-on training that enables participants, especially women and youths to gain practical skills, improve food security, and create long-term income opportunities. Mushroom farming has proven to be one of the most efficient forms of agribusiness for communities with limited land and resources. With proper training and minimal inputs, the community can continue mushroom production independently, ensuring ongoing livelihood support.
Why Button Mushrooms?
Button mushrooms were selected for this project due to their high viability, strong market demand, and relative ease of cultivation. Additional reasons include:
- They thrive in simple, controlled environments that do not require advanced infrastructure.
- They have a stable and high market demand among hotels, supermarkets, food suppliers, and local households across Kenya.
- They grow rapidly, allowing for multiple cultivation cycles within short periods.
- They require very little space, enabling women’s groups and youth groups to engage in income generation even in small homestead settings.
- They are nutritious, rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, contributing to better community health and household nutrition.
- Their production aligns with sustainable and organic farming techniques, reducing the ecological footprint and encouraging eco-friendly agriculture.
Project Objectives
This ongoing project aims to:
- Introduce mushroom farming as a profitable and sustainable agribusiness model.
- Equip local community members with hands-on skills that they can independently apply beyond the training period.
- Promote the use of eco-friendly agricultural technologies that reduce environmental impact.
- Encourage sustainable income generation through low-cost, high-yield farming
- Create new opportunities for women and youth to participate in agriculture.
- Strengthen food security by introducing a nutritious and fast-growing alternative crop.
Community Engagement
The Nauneri Women Group in Masai Mara is actively participating and remains central to the project. As primary beneficiaries, they participated in multiple practical sessions designed to ensure full skills transfer and understanding of mushroom cultivation from start to finish. The training methodology is fully participatory, involving demonstrations, supervised practical practice, and ongoing mentorship. Participants learned how to prepare compost, manage temperature and humidity, maintain hygiene, conduct spawning, and monitor growth stages.
Materials and Methods
1. Substrate Preparation
The substrate- the foundation for mushroom growth, was prepared using straw as the primary material. It was enriched with the following additives:
– Molasses – To provide natural sugars for microbial fermentation
– Urea – As a nitrogen source to improve compost nutrient balance
– Chicken Manure – To increase organic matter and nutrient availability
– Adequate Water – To maintain proper moisture levels during decomposition
The composting process took several days, during which the substrate was regularly turned to ensure aeration and uniform decomposition. Proper composting is essential as it eliminates harmful organisms and helps achieve the nutritional balance required for mushroom growth.
2. Spawning Stage
After composting, the substrate underwent pasteurization to eliminate pathogens, pests, and competing fungi. Once cooled, Button Mushroom spawn was carefully introduced and mixed into the substrate before being packed into growing beds and containers. This stage requires hygiene, precision, and careful handling to ensure strong root (mycelium) development.
Cultivation Conditions
To achieve optimal growth, the following conditions were maintained:
Temperature: Between 18°C and 24°C to support mycelium development.
Humidity: Kept consistently high through regular misting and controlled airflow.
Lighting: Mushrooms require very minimal natural light.
Hygiene: All working environments were kept clean and sterilized to prevent disease and contamination.
Proper management of these conditions directly affects mushroom yield and quality. Participants gained hands-on experience managing these parameters.
Current Growth Status
The Button Mushrooms are currently transitioning from the cool growing beds to the open grounds for their final expansion stage. This stage allows the mushrooms to naturally increase in size in preparation for the upcoming harvest period. No harvest has been done yet, as we are monitoring the growth cycle closely to ensure maximum yield and quality.
Skills Transfer & Impact
Through this project, participants gained comprehensive knowledge and skills including:
– Substrate preparation and nutrient balancing
– Compost fermentation and turning techniques
– Pasteurization and hygiene management
– Correct spawning techniques
– Monitoring temperature and humidity
– Recognizing and preventing fungal diseases
The impact of this skills transfer is significant. With these skills, the Nauneri Women Group can now independently initiate and maintain mushroom cultivation cycles, opening doors for sustainable income generation and long-term community empowerment.
Environmental Conservation & Eco-Tourism Alignment
This project contributes to environmental conservation by promoting organic farming, reducing waste through compost recycling, and encouraging low-carbon agricultural practices. By equipping the local community with sustainable skills, the initiative supports the preservation of natural resources.
Additionally, the project aligns with eco-tourism principles upheld by Mtito Safari Camp. Visitors are increasingly drawn to destinations that embrace sustainability and community support. This mushroom farming initiative demonstrates our commitment to responsible tourism, community empowerment, and the protection of local ecosystems.
Support the Mushroom Project
The initial cultivation phase is now complete. The button mushrooms are currently transitioning from the cool growing beds to open grounds for their final growth stage.
Stay Tuned for Harvest
The harvest period is approaching! Stay tuned for updates as the mushrooms complete their final growth stage.