Trevor Amanya
Trevor Amanya is a 3rd-year student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree of Science in Agriculture at Busitema University and hails from the Ntoroko district.
Following the announcement of the lockdown and closure of learning institutions, I thought this would last a period of 2 – 3 months, which is not the case we seem to be heading to a dead year now because it’s now over 6 months since when schools closed and there’s no hope of opening soon.
As a result, I thought of ways I could keep myself busy and productive for my family, especially in terms of being able to support and provide some basic necessities like food and other individual things I may need.
Consequently, I decided to use part of my savings to start mushroom production. I commenced the project in the month of June 2020, and I have so far injected a total of UGX. 189,000/=
This was informed by the short gestation period of the project compared to other ventures. I also had knowledge as I learned from colleagues at the university and they have even been resourceful during this period of implementation. They guided me on the best materials to use including; spawns (seeds), cotton husks, a metallic drum, ropes, polythene bags (kaveera), jik, spirit, cotton and some wood. I started off with 14 seeds and one sack of cotton husks which resulted to 54 gardens.
This project has helped keep me busy, with the routine activities involved like steaming, inspection, watering, harvesting, packaging and marketing.
I have also acquired practical skills in running a business. Concentrating on the project saves me the stress and anxiety of staying at home while wondering when schools will open or whether I will graduate as originally planned.
Just in a period of one month and a half, I have earned UGX. 86, 000/= and I expect to earn over UGX. 800,000/= after selling the first batch, end of September 2020. I am also adding value to the mushrooms by packaging some fresh, drying and turning them into powder form. Part of the income from the project supplements our family earnings/finances, used to purchase some household items in addition to acquiring my personal necessities as a young adult. The venture has enabled me apply what I learned in class.
With the lockdown unlikely to end soon, I hope to keep engaging in mushroom production as it yields quickly. The only challenge I am facing is finding market for the harvest. For sustainability, I have equipped my mother with the knowledge to run it and when school resumes either by next year or later, I will leave her running it as I monitor the project on phone and periodically visiting.
As an agricultural professional, I hope to save more money and venture into commercial agriculture soon.