CARD with support from UNHCR is implementing a button mushroom production project whose goal is to economically empower refugees at Dzaleka camp and native Malawians living around the camp through button mushroom production and sales. In order to build the capacity of the group and impart skills in button mushroom production, CARD engaged CIH to facilitate a comprehensive, ATVET based and complete production cycle training in button mushroom production. The relevance of the training was that button mushroom production is not commonly practiced in the country hence the project beneficiary group required a complete hand-on training package to enable them successfully produce the mushrooms.

CIH engaged the beneficiary group of 10 members and 7 Project Coaches of CARD in the training from 27th December 2020. Since the beginning of the training, we led the group into a compete button mushroom production planning process, facilitated procurement of equipment and materials for mushroom production unit construction, compost making, spawn and all other accessory project equipment and materials. We then led the group in constructing a mushroom production house, compost making, spawning and management of a fruiting house for button mushroom for increased productivity

All the way to the end, skills for button mushroom production were imparted. The group is happily managing their mushroom house while harvesting clean button mushroom which they sell to different shops in Lilongwe and individual customers around Dzaleka camp.

At the end of the training, the group expressed gratitude to CIH for their professional technical approach drilling them in button mushroom which is technically considered as difficult to produce. The group recognized the commitment of CIH facilitators in taking it through the entire process of producing button mushroom production. These lessons are very helpful, they will enable this group to successfully produce the scarce and highly paying button mushrooms, echoed the group chairperson.

CARD management also expressed satisfaction in the way CIH facilitated the training. The success of the training can be seen already. We would like to thank our facilitators for the well job done empowering our group with skills in button mushroom production. We are very confident that our group will ably produce button mushroom and increase their household earnings and income, sounded CARD’s Projects Coordinator.