Climate-Smart Mushroom Micro-Farming:
Upskilling Women Farmers to Enhance Diet Diversity and Food Security in Rural Kafue, Zambia
Mushrooms are very popular in Zambia. Yet, they are almost entirely wild-harvested and only available during the short rainy season.
In March 2025, MIGHTi partnered with collaborators at Colorado State University and received funding to support a two-year project to establish a culinary mushroom farm.
Team members: Hannah (Nutrition Grad student), Lauren (Nutrition Undergrad), Maria, Mia, Ruby (Food Science Undergrads), Natalie, Emily, Dustin (Mechanical Engineering Undergrads), and Professor Brittaney Sly.
Our Goal
This project aims to achieve year-round nutritionally and financially valuable mushrooms for the Mungu community.
Main Project Activities
Build a working mushroom farm
Set up a rural lab to ensure safe, high quality mushrooms
Develop new food preservation techniques for rural communities
Training women to become expert mushroom growers
Outcomes
-
Build a working mushroom farm
Set up a rural lab to ensure safe, high quality mushrooms
Develop new food preservation techniques for rural communities
Training women to become expert mushroom growers
-
Diversifying diet
Nutritious food access
Food preservation
Income opportunities
Leadership development
-
Rainwater collection system to support production
Solar dryers to preserve mushrooms throughout the year
Solar-powered rural lab to produce clean mushroom spawn
-
More reliable food supply year-round
Empowered women with leadership and technical skills
Sustainable local food production