By Johnson Kampala
Hundreds of school going children, youths and farmers have received different skills in the mushroom value chain as one way of generating income.
In the just concluded Raising African Mushroom Festival organized by the Environmental Conservation and Agricultural Enhancement Uganda (ECO Agric Uganda), Participants expressed enthusiasm in Mushroom growing after learning several skills during the two-day festival that ended on Sunday at the ECO AGRIC offices in Kasingo cell, Hoima City.
John Bosco Abitegeka a resident of Kigaragara cell in Hoima East division disclosed they have been empowered in using the locally available raw materials to grow Mushrooms at a starting capital of as low as UGX 5,000.
Students together with the teachers of Kidukuru seed secondary school were part of the many schools that attended the festival and revealed they have acquired skills in using organic fertilizers and cheap raw materials to grow raw materials urging other youths to interest themselves in the projects.
Robert Muwawu the project manager at ECO AGRIC Uganda says through organizing festivals, they are aiming at creating an impact among the students who are already implementing a new curriculum in their schools.
He adds that they have also empowered participants in making organic pesticides, composite organic manure, controlled apiary projects, vegetable growing among others which they can start from their homes for sustainable income generation.
Josephine Nakakande, the Executive Director of ECO AGRIC Uganda Commended the participants for turning up in large numbers adding that they are now moving to form mushroom growing clubs in schools and farmer groups that will lead to formation of associations aimed at improving their incomes.
