At the Lagos State Agricultural Development Authority (LSADA) complex, 100 rice farmers were trained in the conversion of rice waste (husk) to edible mushroom product.
The Lagos State Agro-Processing Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project, the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), and LSADA organized the workshop.
The theme of the three-day workshop is “Technology Transfer Workshop on Edible Mushroom Production.”
Mrs Oluranti Sagoe-Oviebo, State Project Coordinator, Lagos APPEALS, stated at the opening ceremony that the training was designed to improve farmers’ livelihoods as well as waste-to-wealth creation.
Sagoe-Oviebo stated that with the increasing volume of rice produced in the state, there was a need to turn the rice husk into a money-making venture to provide farmers with additional income.
She stated that the state decided to train rice farmers in mushroom production due to the large amount of waste generated by rice mills and the difficulties in proper disposal.
According to her, the APPEALS project previously taught farmers how to make briquettes for biofuel out of rick husk and is now teaching them how to grow edible mushrooms.
Dr. Kolawole Lawal, Director of Biotechnology at FIIRO, stated that the collaboration with APPEALS projects was beneficial.
Lawal stated that it was to improve the rice value chain, and that mushrooms had low cholesterol, low carbohydrate, a lot of proteins and vitamins, and nutraceuticals.
He stated that FIIRO would provide technology for producing mushrooms from rice husk.
Mrs Oluwatoyin Oluwole, CEO of Arike Ofada Rice, a recipient, praised APPEALS and other training organizers for adding value to rice.
“When I heard about the training, I was intrigued by how I could turn my waste into wealth and have a cleaner environment,” Oluwole said.