Mushrooms hit mark

STUDIES on mushroom production carried out by scientists from the University of Namibia (Unam) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have found that mushroom farming is viable in Namibia.

These findings were backed up by the launch of a mushroom project at Mariental in the Hardap Region on Wednesday. Other projects have been established in the Erongo, Oshana, Khomas and Omaheke regions.The projects were built on the foundations laid by the UNDP pilot project known as the Zero Emissions Research Initiative (Zeri) Africa Regional Project.The Zeri concept entails making productive use of waste, such as maize straw that remains after harvesting, to overcome pollution.Nedbank contributed N$450 000 towards the initiative.Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa said mushrooms were under-appreciated in Namibia, and blamed poor marketing and publicity for this.Other projects have been established in the Erongo, Oshana, Khomas and Omaheke regions.The projects were built on the foundations laid by the UNDP pilot project known as the Zero Emissions Research Initiative (Zeri) Africa Regional Project.The Zeri concept entails making productive use of waste, such as maize straw that remains after harvesting, to overcome pollution.Nedbank contributed N$450 000 towards the initiative.Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa said mushrooms were under-appreciated in Namibia, and blamed poor marketing and publicity for this.