NANA MINTA MUSHROOM FARMS & TRAINING CENTRE: 2012

Many conuntries, particularly developing conuntries, have a problem in producing sufficent food, and poverty is increasing rapidly in these areas. There is a great need for tools to alleviate this poverty, and one of these tools is the growing of mushrooms.This poverty alleviation tool is particularly appropriate in countries that have large amounts of Agricultural wastes .

Ghana is one of those conuntries having large unused Agricultural wastes.this sawdust, rice straw, maize etc.

Mushroom cultivation turns this refuse into a food source rich in minerals, protein, carbohydrates, and healthy compounds.

After mushroom cultivation the remains material can be used as animal fodder.

Mushroom cultivation offers employment to youth in rural region. Mushroom cultivation also provides an inexpensive protein source. While meat as a protein source is expensive. For those who have limited income.

MUSHROOM FARM

Minta Joseph is my name and the head of Nana Minta Mushroom farms and Training centre, which is located at Bipoa in the Sekyere South District in Ashanti Region. I was born on 28^th day of May, 1973. and started schooling at the Bipoa United Primary and Junior High School. I later furthered my education at the Agona senior High Technical School and completed in the year 1996.

I learned a trade at the Kumasi Mushrooms and Biodiversity Training here in Ghana. I then started operating a sole business at rural Bipoa in the year 2003. At that time, I was able to produced 200kgs of mushroom and 1000kg of compose bags but now I am able to produce 3,400 kgs of fresh oyster mushroom and 10,000 compose bags yearly.

I have trained over 5, 000 unemployed youth especially women around the country through, RURAL ENTERPRISES PROJECT AND THE MINISTRY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT (MLGRDE)

COMMUNITY BASED RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (CBRDP) and they are qualified as oyster mushroom producers.The company is non- profit making organization.

I am putting up buildings to make my place a learning center, where trainess can have accommodation, classrooms, dining hall , a vehicle and the production of mushroom seeds centre.

This capital intensive project requires funding and benevolent sponsors and donors are welcome to help.

Objectives

· To train unemployed youth in mushroom production, hence reducing poverty.

· To supplement government effort in increasing intake of workers.

· Help for family (community

NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF MUSHROOMS

Scientific research has proven that mushrooms, especially Oyster Mushroom are a very good source of protein and vital nutrients, which makes them an important food to include in your diet . They are often are a good substitute for meat.

Oyster mushroom strengthens the circulatory system. Balances cholesterol level and fortifies the blood.