China, Ethiopia launch up-to-date edible mushroom project – opening new markets

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – China and the East African nation of Ethiopia on Monday officially launched a mushroom project, dubbed “Ethiopia 1550 Mushroom Programme.”

The project will enable the East African country to develop the mushroom sector with modern technology and science.

Situated on the premises of the Technology Institute of the Addis Ababa University (AAiT), the Ethiopia 1550 Mushroom Programme incorporates Ethiopia’s national mushroom spawn resources development center and Ethiopia’s national mushroom technology training center.

According to authorities in Ethiopia, the project is tripartite among the AAiT, China Aid, and the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture.

The mushroom project establishes a standard mushroom spawn production, preservation, and technology training center which will primarily be responsible for mother spawn production and technology training.

The project, which will begin on a small scale, is also designed to be scaled up with more project sites; it will also involve more mushroom farmers for training across the country, promoting Ethiopia’s mushroom production and productivity, thereby securing improved benefits from the sector.

Esayas Gebre-Yohannes, the Executive Director of AAiT, said the programme would have multifaceted benefits to Ethiopia, promoting mushroom production and productivity, creating job opportunities, as well as fostering knowledge and technology transfer as well as research and development.

Liu Yu, the Economic and Commercial Minister Counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Ethiopia, said more Ethiopian farmers would produce edible mushrooms under the guidance of the center and earn a better income while enjoying a better life.