Rwanda to produce mushroom seeds

Kabuye demonstration and production base, mushroom project started in Aug 2006 under supervision of Chinese team. The laboratory that will be used to produce mushroom seeds has been constructed in Rwanda. The move will cut on transport costs since the seeds have regularly been imported from China. According to information availed by Lin Zhansen, a government agronomist, the laboratory will be at the demonstration and production base in Kabuye, Byumba-Gatuna road. In an interview with Zhansen the laboratory is under construction and some equipment will be shipped to Rwanda from China to boost operations. It’s expected that once the laboratory is established it will increase professionalism in spawn production and overall production management. Zhansen said the importation of spawn (seeds) has been a challenge because it involves a lot of procedures whereby both countries have to be approved by international standards in order to import seeds to another country. “It’s hard to transport seeds from China because it’s not like any other language that needs nothing but packing, it requires permission from both countries,” he said. He said that the seeds are a Chinese donation to Rwanda but the costs would be incurred in transporting them. It costs about $35 per Kilogram transported. Some of the challenges of setting up the laboratory include lack of facilities like shelving and water supply, lack of enough technicians to work with the Chinese experts. Kabuye demonstration and production base, mushroom project started in Aug 2006 under supervision of Chinese team. They intend to extend the knowledge to 200 farmers who will in turn train others to promote the technology in the country. Once the lab is ready, about 2 technicians will be trained so that they can master the whole process from spawn making to substrate production and fruiting management. The laboratory is expected to operate independently after a specified period of time. The technology used called JUNCAO was borrowed from China. It allows mushrooms to be cultivated in small spaces, and even inside houses. Their short growing cycle means that they can be harvested several times a year, thereby giving a greater and faster return than any other plant grown in the region. Ends