As part of our oyster mushroom farming training, locally available agricultural materials can be used to prepare a suitable growing substrate.
Some women were trained how to use maize stalks and soya bean pods as substrate material. The substrate consists of dry maize stalks, chopped into approximately 2 cm pieces and supplemented with dried soybean pods. The materials are then pasteurized using hot water to help prepare the substrate for mushroom cultivation.
Using readily available crop residues provides an opportunity to turn agricultural by-products into valuable resources for food production and income generation.
This practical approach forms part of our efforts to equip women with skills for sustainable livelihoods, mushroom farming, and innovative agricultural practices.
