Trevor Amanya
Trevor Amanya is a third-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture at Busitema University, and hails from Ntoroko district.
A Lockdown That Wouldn’t End
When the lockdown and closure of learning institutions were announced, I thought it would last two or three months. That has not been the case — it has now been over six months since schools closed, with no sign of reopening soon, and we seem to be heading toward a dead academic year.
As a result, I thought about ways to keep myself busy and productive for my family, especially in terms of being able to support and provide basic necessities like food and other things I might need.
Growing Mushrooms, Building Skills
I decided to use part of my savings to start mushroom production. I began the project in June 2020, and I have so far invested a total of UGX 189,000.
I chose mushrooms because of their short growing cycle compared to other ventures, and because I had some knowledge already, having learned from colleagues at university who were resourceful during this period. They guided me on the best materials to use, including spawns (seeds), cotton husks, a metallic drum, ropes, polythene bags, jik, spirit, cotton, and wood. I started with 14 seeds and one sack of cotton husks, which grew into 54 gardens.
This project has kept me busy with routine activities like steaming, inspection, watering, harvesting, packaging, and marketing. I have also picked up practical business skills. Focusing on the project saves me the stress and anxiety of staying home wondering when schools will reopen, or whether I will graduate as originally planned.
Turning a Harvest into Income
In just a month and a half, I earned UGX 86,000, and I expect to earn over UGX 800,000 after selling my first batch at the end of September 2020. I am also adding value to the mushrooms by packaging some fresh, drying others, and turning some into powder. Part of the income supplements our family finances, buys household items, and covers my own personal necessities as a young adult. The venture has let me apply what I learned in class.
“With the lockdown unlikely to end soon, I hope to keep growing mushrooms, since they yield quickly. My only challenge is finding a market for the harvest.”
For sustainability, I have taught my mother how to run the project, and when school resumes — whether next year or later — I will leave her running it while I monitor by phone and visit periodically. As an agriculture professional in training, I hope to save more and venture into commercial agriculture soon.