Have you been wondering what mushroom farming is all about, how lucrative it is or How to start a mushroom farming business in Nigeria?
Here is the right guide that provides answers to all of your questions.
Mushroom farming is the act of cultivating eatable and usable breeds of mushrooms for consumption.
Mushrooms are known to be of many species but just a few of it is consumable while the rest can kill, however, the rise in the demand for mushroom because of the health benefits it’s possesses makes them a business even if it hasn’t found their footing in Nigeria and this is a great opportunity for the farmer to explore.
How profitable is mushroom farming business?
This will probably be the question is your mind right and the answer is yes.
Due to the spike in demand for this body of fungi, the business is so profitable.
Also, we only have a few farmers cultivating mushrooms, so I can say the market is still young and small while the demand for it exceeds the market.
Yes! Mushroom farming can be a lucrative venture, with profits depending on the investment made in mushroom seeds.
For example, if a farmer produces 50 bags of oysters weighing about 500 kilos, and the selling price for 1 kilo of oysters is N2000, then the total profit from the harvest would be 2,000,000 naira
You’re thinking of how to join also? Let’s journey together and you will have your answer.
How to start mushroom farming in Nigeria
Starting mushroom farming can be stressful and tedious at first because mushrooms are fragile plants that need to be taken care of so well if you’re after making money with them.
The following are things you’re going to need if you want to start a mushroom farming business in Nigeria.
1. Get a land
Land the first time you will be needed for your mushroom farming.
Build a mud house
According to research, a mud house is the best to store mushrooms because it gives way to the inflow and outflow of air, and this will help preserve your mushrooms.
Decide your substrate
As we all know that mushrooms don’t grow on the ground like every other crop, mushrooms are fungi that grow on dead things.
A substrate is that thing that will accommodate the growth of your mushrooms.
Some of the substrates you can use include sawdust, wheat bran, lots of woods, and rice bran.
How to get your substrate ready for mushroom farming.
- Firstly, after deciding what substrate to use, you must sterilize it to avoid any microorganisms because just a little mistake of not doing so can ruin your mushroom business.
- Spread the substrate inside a container that it’s big enough to accommodate the growth of your mushrooms.
- Add the spawn which is the mushroom seedling to the substrate.
- Heat the container that houses your spawn and your substrate. It is established that the spawn needs some high level of health to have a good rooting on the substrate. You can also place it in the sun if you don’t want to heat it through another medium.
- Place the mixture in a dark room for a couple of weeks until it grows.
- Finally, transfer the mixture to your land and water it so well and often to keep it damp because it needs a lot of water for its growth.
If you prefer the usage of woods to sawdust, you can also follow the following process to hey your substrate ready for the mushroom however, using sawdust is quite easy and direct.
You should never forget that no matter the substrate being used, sterilization is compulsory.
- Get your log of wood and make a hole right in the woods. The hole isn’t expected to be so wide or deep. Just a little hole that can contain the little amount of spawn at once.
- Place your mushroom sseedlings (awn) right inside the hole you have made in the woods.
- Place the wood and the seeds in it under a cool area. You don’t need to heat or sundry this because woods emit their heat and this is enough for what we want to do.
- Spray continuously with water till the mushroom starts growing.
Keep a good hygiene
Mushrooms are known to be clean organism that grows more and more in a clean place. You should practice good hygiene if you want to make a profit from the business.
Mushroom farming is a lucrative agribusiness that has been gaining attention in Nigeria. With the increasing demand for healthy food options, the mushroom industry is growing in the country. In this guide, we will explore the different popular mushroom species, getting the seeds for mushroom farming, mushroom markets in Nigeria, and mushroom export opportunities.
Popular Mushroom Species
There are several edible mushroom species that can be farmed in Nigeria. Some of the popular mushroom species include:
Shiitake (Letinula Edodes)
Shiitake mushrooms are widely grown in Asian countries, especially Japan. They are known to reduce tumors in the body.
Oysters (Pleurotus Ostreatus)
Oyster mushrooms have antibacterial and antioxidant abilities. They may also help fight excess cholesterol in one’s body.
Morels (Morchella Esculenta)
Morels are rich in vitamin C and also have antioxidant abilities like oyster mushrooms.
Chanterelles (Cantharellus Cibarius)
Chanterelles are widely grown in Asia, Europe’s northern regions, and North America. They are rich in vitamins C and D.
Getting The Seeds for Mushroom Farming
The seeds for mushroom farming are called spawns, and they must be of good quality. It’s important to aim for quality, not inexpensiveness when sourcing mushroom spawns. It’s also crucial to get your seeds from a reliable source. Some of the mushroom spawn suppliers in Nigeria include:
- Prokee Import And Export Merchants
- KC Farm
- Anighoro farms (based in Lagos, Ogun & and Edo state)
- JEMAC Alternatives Nig Ltd
- ECONERG INDUSTRIAL GROUP
- Jomolu Farms
- FASFAT INTEGRATED SERVICES
- TJY Nigeria
- AILENET BUSINESS RESOURCES
- AB PROPERTIES AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED
- Mcprint Systems Limited
- LTC Mushroom
- Sweet Fungus Limited
- ACEPRD Mushroom Farm (University Of Jos)
- Afudem Farm
- Santa Nigeria Limited
- Paramount Integrated Ltd
- Sunnykem Multibiz Company
- Ozias Nigeria Limited
- Lexon International Enterprise
Mushroom Markets in Nigeria
There are several mushroom marketing opportunities in Nigeria. Mushroom farmers can sell their produce to end-users who have the capacity to consume more mushrooms. Some of the market opportunities for mushroom farmers include:
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Supermarkets
- Households
- Export markets
While it may be easier to target restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets in Nigeria for your mushroom farming produce, selling directly to households may require an online presence. Targeting export markets may also be a huge selling option if you produce a large quantity or have a large mushroom farm.
Mushroom Export Opportunities
Mushroom export can take different forms. It can be exported fresh, dried, or canned. However, as a beginner mushroom farmer, it’s recommended you don’t go this alone. Starting mushroom farming may be simple and easily explained in a post like this, but exporting mushrooms may not be that simple.
There are laws, procedures, and export requirements that you may need to be aware of. Ignorance may cost you more than you can afford to pay. Since policies can change, and different export countries may have different rules, it’s advisable to join the Nigerian Mushroom Association.
Besides keeping you abreast of how other members are doing their export, your membership will also give you access to free help from the association in exporting your mushroom.
Rules to follow in mushroom farming
- You must be hygienic enough to keep your mushroom farm clean and well sterilized
- Don’t start so big at first because you can make one or two mistakes and you starting all out at once may cause a great loss.
- Seek advice from an expert that has been in the business for a long.
- Study the business yourself and decides what works for you.
Things to avoid in mushroom farming
1. Don’t try implementing your theory if you just started. We all feel the urge to discover new and easy ways of doing things but if you’re really in the business to make money, do away with that urge and focus on the procedure being given.
2. Avoid buying bad seedlings as they may be the cheapest.
3. Don’t rush your growth as mushrooms need time to blossom and expand.
FAQ
1. How much does it cost to start a mushroom business in Nigeria?
This depends on the size of your farm or how big you want it to be. Mushroom farming requires just a little amount of capital ranging from #100,000 to #200,000 depending on your capacity.
2. How much is a kilo of mushroom in Nigeria?
As of the time this post is been compiled, a kilo of mushroom is worth more than a kilo of chicken. This shows the importance of this organism. A kilo of mushroom Worth’s #3000.
3. What is the demand for mushrooms in Nigeria?
According to research done by the NFIS, Nigeria is only able to produce 300 tons of mushrooms per year while we are faced with the demand of 1200 tons. This is a good time to join the business and makes money.
