Kampala, Uganda – Just a few years ago, Doreen, a mother from Kabale, had no stable income and depended on her husband to provide for the family.
Like many women in Uganda, she had little access to opportunities that could help her become self-reliant. But her life changed when she joined AgroMush Uganda, a social enterprise that trains communities to grow mushrooms.
Today, Doreen is not only earning money from mushroom farming but also helping other women in her community start their own farms.
Uganda is an agricultural country, with nearly 75% of households depending on farming. But many farmers struggle because crops bring in little income, and families often face the difficult choice of either selling food or eating it.
Malnutrition remains a big challenge, with more than one in four children under five suffering from stunted growth.
Mushroom farming offers a solution.
It uses agricultural waste like cotton husks and sawdust, has a short growing cycle of just one month, and requires very little space—making it ideal for both villages and towns. Mushrooms are also rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, giving families healthier meals at a low cost.
Starting a mushroom farm does not cost much. With about 300,000 to 500,000 Ugandan shillings ($83–139), a farmer can buy bags of mushroom substrate and basic equipment. From just 100 bags, one harvest can bring in 2–3 million shillings, more than four times the initial investment.
This affordable entry point makes mushroom farming especially attractive to women and youth who struggle to find jobs.
Founded in 2019 by Ahabwe Canary and his team, AgroMush Uganda has trained nearly 1,000 women and about 200 young people every year in mushroom farming. The organization not only trains farmers but also buys mushrooms directly from them, giving instant cash payments and providing subsidized seeds for the next cycle.
As production grew, AgroMush expanded into making value-added products such as mushroom wine, porridge, and instant soup. These products helped farmers reduce waste, earn more, and reach new markets.
The impact has been life-changing. A study in Kampala showed that women mushroom farmers could earn an average of $3,464 in just three months—compared to Uganda’s average income of around $81 per month.
More importantly, families are eating better. Canary explains: “Some people used to eat once a day. Now they grow mushrooms, sell them, and can feed their families properly. That is our biggest blessing.”
Mushroom farming in Uganda is proving to be more than a business—it is a pathway out of poverty and hunger. By giving women and young people the tools to farm, earn, and feed their families, AgroMush and similar initiatives are building a stronger, healthier future.
With high demand for mushrooms locally and internationally, experts believe this industry could continue to grow, transforming thousands more lives across the country.
