Story by Tapiwa Machemedze
IN the face of harsh climatic conditions and rising temperatures in Mbire District, a group of 20 women has embraced mushroom farming as a sustainable solution to enhance food security and adapt to climate change.
The initiative is helping communities cope with weather extremes that threaten conventional crops and livestock, while simultaneously transforming livelihoods by providing a reliable source of nutrition and income.
Stepping into the cool, grass-thatched hut filled with mushroom substrate, farmer Uliana Mazhazhate explained how the project has created stability for families once vulnerable to climate shocks.
“I got into this project to fight hunger, and I had no other gainful employment, farming of other crops were not giving any benefit or profits, this product is good because its farmed indoors and it gives you time to do other chores, when you produce mushroom, you get your money bit by bit, you can buy kids school items, can buy household requirements and contribute to the lending cooperative so that your money grows,” she said.
After being trained by a local non-governmental organisation in 2023, Sipelani Chaerera pioneered the project in that section of Mbire district by teaching other women to grow mushrooms.
“I trained and looked for 15 women, then we started mushroom farming. We are now 20, and our group is growing. We started in 2016, and we have developed since then. Now we can pay school fees for kids, we can buy sugar salt and other foodstuffs when they run out in our households,” she said.
The District Food and Nutrition Security Committee is excited about the project as it addresses climate change and food security issues in Mbire.
“Here in Mbire, we don’t get good rains, but through mushroom farming, farmers can produce all year round on a small piece of land. This brings money to people and increases food security at the household level. So far, 20 wards have gone into mushroom farming,” Mbire District Agritex Extension Officer, Vivian Gwezuka said.
With expansion plans in place and a focus on increasing income for the women, the mushroom production cluster is targeting more sales after conducting market research at big supermarkets beyond the district.
