Kamonyi District, Rwanda – Obed Nyambo, a visionary mushroom farmer from Kamonyi District, has successfully leveraged innovative Chinese technology to transform his agricultural pursuits and create employment opportunities for his community. After completing his university studies in 2017, Nyambo aspired to become self-employed, initially venturing into raising chicks, rabbits, and pigs.
In 2018, Nyambo discovered Juncao technology, a Chinese innovation that uses chopped grass as a substrate for cultivating edible and medicinal mushrooms. This breakthrough, developed in the 1980s by the National Engineering Research Centre at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in China, enables smallholder farmers to grow mushrooms without cutting down trees or harming the environment.
Realizing the profitability of mushroom farming, Nyambo shifted his focus to this sustainable practice. His business has since flourished, enabling him to create jobs for over 20 community members, significantly impacting local livelihoods.
“Today, I can proudly say that my mushroom business has allowed me to create jobs for over 20 people in my community, helping them lift themselves out of poverty,” Nyambo shared. “I pay my highest-paid worker Rwf120,000, while the lowest-paid worker earns Rwf60,000. Even those who cut the grass we use daily receive Rwf2,000.”
Nyambo’s success story highlights the potential of innovative agricultural practices to drive economic growth and environmental sustainability in Rwanda. As the demand for mushrooms continues to rise, his efforts stand as a testament to the transformative power of technology in agriculture.
Currently, the farm has a monthly production capacity of 10,000 tubes, with mushroom prices ranging from Rwf2,000 to Rwf3,000 per kilogram.
In Bugesera District, mushroom farmer Immaculee Muragizimana has seen her income double thanks to the technology, which has also significantly increased her production. Initially, she worked with a small number of mushroom spawns, between 500 and 1,000, and faced numerous challenges. However, after integrating the new technology and receiving extensive training, she now uses over 4,000 spawns each month.
“Previously, we used cotton for growing mushrooms, which was difficult to source locally. The new technology, which utilizes locally available grass, has greatly improved our operational efficiency. We see a profit on the fourth cycle out of every six,” she noted.
Ernest Ndayizeye, a farmer from Huye District, started his mushroom farming business in 2019, inspired by his experience working with a Chinese company. He applied the technology he learned to establish his own business.
“My company now provides for my needs and generates daily income. Additionally, I’ve created employment for 10 community members,” he said.
Patrick Karangwa, Director General of Agriculture Modernisation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, emphasized the value of this technology in maximizing productivity on limited land.
“Large-scale farming is not practical in Rwanda due to land constraints. Therefore, it’s vital to optimize small plots for high-yield and profitable crops,” Karangwa added.
Karangwa emphasized the benefits of mushroom farming, noting its ability to withstand weather fluctuations and its potential to improve livelihoods without harming the environment.
“Mushrooms can yield substantial amounts quickly, offering both economic and sustainable advantages,” he stated.
He also mentioned that over 37,000 farmers have been trained in Juncao technology, and the practice now includes more than 3,800 households as well as over 50 businesses and cooperatives.
Karangwa added that this technology has significantly boosted mushroom production over the last 15 years. Farmers are able to start earning income within seven to ten days of planting, with potential annual yields of up to 1,200 kilograms of fresh mushrooms from just 110 square meters of land.
