The Office of the ||Kharas Governor, in collaboration with the University of Namibia (UNAM) Centre of Research Services, has trained about 13 women in the cultivation of oyster mushrooms between Monday and Friday.
According to Fimanekeni Shivute, a researcher for multidisciplinary research at UNAM, who was also the facilitator of the training, the initiative formed part of the agriculture integrated project that the governor’s office has embarked on, which consists of the cultivation of rice, mushrooms, and vegetables.
‘The project is integrated in a way that the three productions feed each other. First, we start with the cultivation of rice. After the rice harvest, we use the straw of the rice to cultivate mushrooms because mushrooms need a growing substrate, and the rice straw can be the substrate. After we have cultivated the mushrooms, there is something that remains in the bag that is considered waste, which we can then use as compost for the vegetables,’ she said.
The training took place Friday at Farm Goenbult, covering topics such as mushroom cultures, spawn preparation, the mixing and pasteurising substrate, setting up mushroom houses, and watering, among others. At the end of the training, the women mixed the mushroom spawn with the damp straw, which is expected to yield mushrooms within six weeks.
Speaking to Nampa, 35-year-old Emmarentia Fleermuys, who was one of the participants in the training, said, ‘The training really taught us how to cultivate mushrooms in a fast, safe, and cheap way. One can do it anywhere, even at our houses. I also plan to share the information with others so we can do something for ourselves and make a livelihood and change circumstances at home.’
||Kharas Governor, Aletha Frederick, urged for teamwork among stakeholders within the region to ensure that the centre becomes a catalyst for agricultural development, not only in ||Kharas but across Namibia, noting that collective effort can create a future where agriculture is not just a source of livelihood but a catalyst for progress and prosperity.
‘The future of our region, and indeed our nation, lies in the hands of our youth and women. By investing in their agricultural education and empowering them with the skills they need to succeed, we are investing in a brighter, more prosperous future for all,’ she stressed.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency