Duration: 5 days (8 hours per day)
Fee: USD 1,000 (includes training materials, hands-on lab supplies, certificate)
Location: JNCAVTC LTD Training Center, Kigali (or on-site by arrangement)
Participants: Up to 20 per cohort
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of hygiene & small-scale farming
Methodology: Interactive lectures, hands-on labs, group exercises & troubleshooting clinics, field visit
⦁Learning Objectives
• Understand mushroom biology and commercial species selection
• Produce and maintain high-quality spawn
• Prepare, sterilize and inoculate substrates safely
• Manage incubation, fruiting and environmental controls
• Harvest mushrooms and implement quality-assured grading
• Process (drying, packaging) and market fresh & value-added products
⦁ Course Modules & Schedule
| Day | Morning (Theory) | Afternoon (Practical) |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Introduction to Fungi & Commercial Species Spawn Types & Quality Indicators | Preparing Grain & Sawdust Substrate for Spawn Production Sterilization Techniques (Autoclave/LPG) |
| Day 2 | Substrate Formulation for Common Mushrooms (Oyster, Button, etc.) Hygiene & Contamination Control | Hands-on Substrate Mixing & Bag Filling Sterile Inoculation of Spawn into Substrate Bags |
| Day 3 | Incubation Room Design & Environmental Parameters Monitoring Mycelial Growth | Setting up Incubation Shelves Identifying & Managing Contaminants |
| Day4 | Fruiting Room Environment (Humidity, CO₂, Light) Harvesting Techniques & Yield Optimization | Transferring Bags to Fruiting Rooms First Harvest Practice & Yield Recording |
| Day5 | Post-Harvest Processing: Washing, Grading, Packaging Value-Addition: Drying, Powdering, Pickling | Operating Drying Ovens / Sun-drying Racks Packing Fresh & Dried Mushrooms; Labelling & Storage |
⦁Key Takeaways
• Standard Operating Procedures for each production stage
• Troubleshooting checklist for contamination, low yield, and equipment issues
• Business model canvas template for a mushroom farm
• Market linkages: packaging standards, shelf-life, local/regional buyers
• Certificate of Completion from JNCAVTC LTD & practical lab portfolio
Equipment & Materials Provided
• Spawn (starter culture)
• Substrate ingredients (grain, sawdust, supplements)
• Sterilization bags, gloves, masks, alcohol sprays
• Drying oven access & packaging materials
⦁Training benefits
Trainees master spawn, substrate, sterilization, environmental control, processing (drying, packaging), and business planning, gaining income diversification opportunities, job readiness, food security impact, and sustainability awareness.