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

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Past: Community Water Initiative