- Published by
- Palladium / Swisscontact
- Project implementer
- Palladium / Swisscontact
- Donor
- FCDO
- Programme
- IMSAR
- Results level
- Poverty reduction
- Intervention types
- Improved input supply
- Improved marketing of products
- Improved value chain coordination
The oyster mushroom farming initiative in Rwanda, part of the Improving Market Systems for Agriculture in Rwanda (IMSAR) programme, aims to increase the incomes of smallholder farmers and improve nutrition.
In Rwanda there are around 50,000 rural households involved in mushroom farming – of these around 60 per cent are poor women and youth. However, the oyster mushrooms sector remains relatively small and underdeveloped, due to both supply and demand issues.
The programme ultimately aims to develop a sustainable and scalable oyster mushroom market, benefiting over 7,000 farmers.
This brief describes the approach, results achieved and lessons learnt from this collaboration.
Intervention description
Key interventions include improving access to inputs and extension services, enhancing branding and promotion, and expanding distribution channels.
IMSAR partnered with Deyi, a tube producer and mushroom farm, to improve access to inputs by establishing a spawn laboratory, which increased tube production for both Deyi's production and sales. They also developed a training scheme to enhance farmers' skills in production, postharvest handling, financial management, and marketing. This intervention included identifying and profiling oyster mushroom farmers, branding and promotion efforts, and expanding distribution channels through hiring sourcing and sales agents and establishing a market stall at Kimironko market.
The programme partners demonstrated strong ownership, with a network of tube producers and an increased production of oyster mushrooms.