The Oyster Mushroom

(Pleurotus austreatus)

The delicious oyster mushroom is passionately

loved by gourmets all over the world. Not only

its great taste but also the high nutritional and

medicinal values are appreciated by consumers

especially in developing world.

Basically, the oyster mushroom is rich in

proteins, low in carbohydrate and fat content,

thus highly recommended for people who are

obese, diabetic or on diet. Vitamins A, B, C, D

and minerals such as Calcium, Potassium,

Phosphorus, Iron and Zinc are also contained.

Production

The cultivation of oyster mushrooms in Uganda

as an income generating activity for rural

farmers gained prominence in the 1990s. The

oyster mushroom is by far the easiest and least

expensive mushroom to grow.

The uniqueness of mushroom growing is, that it

can be done with low capital investment, it

requires minimal space and it is a home based

activity which favors especially women to

engage in. The agricultural wastes of sorghum,

millet, beans peas, wheat, sawdust and maize

can be used as substrates to grow mushrooms.

The use of locally available materials thus

ensures the ecological sustainability. The

prevalent cool climate in Southwestern Uganda

is especially conducive for fructification.

Stand on your own two feet… Have you ever asked yourself what the term

development actually implies?

For us we believe real development is a

reciprocal sharing and learning during which

each party learns from the other. Farmers on

grass root level are encouraged to participate in

decision making and good farming practices,

specifically organic farming. MTRC and its

services are based on this ideology. Our doors

are open to farmers who actively seek to

improve their livelihoods.

MTRC has established a collaboration with

Uganda Industrial Research Institute (UIRI) in

the value addition component of this

undertaking.

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MTRC Core Values:

� Selfless empowerment of small scale farmers for poverty eradication

� Community entrepreneurship and value addition

� Open communication, knowledge sharing and joint action

Hotels/Restaurants

Delicious Mushroom Dishes Tips for cooking fresh and dried mushrooms:

� Always soak dried mushrooms for at least 20 minutes in luke-warm water before cooking

� Do not mix oyster mushrooms with too strong vegetables, in order to still have the mushroom taste

� Do not cook any mushroom longer than a maximum of 30 minutes, otherwise they loose nutrients and taste!

Pleuro Sauce 1. Heat 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a pan.

Add 1-2 chopped red onion and two cloves chopped garlic. Stir until onions are soft.

2. Add 100gms chopped red pepper, tomatoes, chilli powder, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 60mls of dry red wine (if available). Simmer uncovered until sauce is thick.

3. Add 200gms of sliced fresh oyster mushrooms . Simmer while uncovered for five minutes. Add salt to taste.

Cook’s Tip: It is especially delicious in combination with grilled fish fillet. Martina’s Risotto (Serves 4)

1. Soak 50gms of dried oyster mushrooms in warm water for 20 minutes.

2. Heat a pan, melt butter and fry 1-2 onions until they are brownish. Add 2 cups of raw (risotto) rice and stir.

3. When the rice starts to look shiny add half a cup of white wine and shortly after 4 cups of chicken or vegetable stock (or Royco) which is dissolved in boiling water. In case of no wine, add straight away the stock. Simmer uncovered for 10-15 minutes.

4. Add dried oyster mushrooms to the rice and leave it simmer for more 5 minutes.

5. Add salt, pepper, curry, little milk and grated cheese to taste. Ready to serve.

Cook’s Tip: Serve with fresh salads. No matoke or posho is needed.

MTRC - Concept

↸ � ↸ � ↸ Rural farmers in Kabale, Kisoro and

Kanungu districts grow oyster mushrooms

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MTRC services include:

� Collection centre for fresh and dried

mushrooms

� Quality control

� Mushroom drying and packing

� Supplying customers with mushrooms

� Demonstration site of commercial and

local mushroom production

� Trainings for groups and individuals in

mushroom growing and business skills

development

� Own spawn production

Mushroom Training

and Resource Centre

Contact: P.O. Box 802, Kabale, Uganda

Kyanamira, off Kabale - Mbarara Rd +256 (0)77 2 658 883 (Uganda) mushroompeace@yahoo.com

+41 (0) 797 744 094 (Switzerland) martina.locher@gmx.ch

www.oystermushroom.ch

Better well-being of rural communities through the

cultivation of oyster mushrooms

Empowering rural women and youth

in collaboration with

Supplies fresh and dried mushrooms to

sell fresh and dried mushrooms to

Supermarkets

and any other mushroom lover

MTRC

You can find more recipes on www.oystermushroom.ch