[Do not publish] The Sustainable Mushroom Farming Initiative
Farming mushrooms for community livelihood transformation and biodiversity conservation
The enterprise is focused on providing fresh produce that is available wholesale, and on demand, to consumers. The enterprise is turning a small-scale community garden initiative at CIBC into a sustainable business venture. It is providing at least five direct jobs, a market for five independent mushroom farming collectives and filling a market gap for fresh, local produce.
Creating an alternative farming location to BINP means the park can be conserved, lessening the threat to gorilla habitats. Initiating employment opportunities for Batwa people is also helping reduce poaching from the park by engaging locals in an income-generating activity.
Eco-Inclusive Impacts
The enterprise is turning a small-scale community garden initiative at CIBC into a sustainable business venture. It is providing at least five direct jobs, a market for five independent mushroom farming collectives and filling a market gap for fresh, local produce.
- Providing direct employment on the farm and a local market for self-employed farmers.
- Generating a healthy, nutrient-rich food source for local populations.
- Empowering local Batwa with employment and educating them on benefits of sourcing food beyond BINP.
- Providing an alternative source to wild mushroom, thus reducing pressure on protected areas and threats to gorilla populations.
- Reducing the instances of poaching though keeping people busy in an income-generating activity.
- Filling a market gap by providing door-to-door mushroom delivery to customers like hotels and tour operators.
- Building on the region’s existing tourism industry – primarily at the National Park – by creating an additional agro-tourism market.
Partners
The Sustainable Mushroom Farming Initiative is a community enterprise which farms and sells organic oyster mushrooms in the Kanungu District of Uganda. Providing alternative livelihoods for disadvantaged women and indigenous Batwa people living adjacent to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, the enterprise reduces pressure on the gorilla habitat, as fewer community members engage in illegal foraging for food in the National Park.
Community Initiatives for Biodiversity Conservation (CIBC) hosts the Sustainable Mushroom Farming Initiative and was one of three partners to found the enterprise.
The Uganda Wild Life Authority manages the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (BINP) and helps market the enterprise and promotes agro-tourism in the region.
Batwa Development Programme (BDP) provides technical knowledge and insight into indigenous farming practices and engages a team of Batwa for planning and development of the enterprise.