MUSHROOM PREFACE Caught by the mushroom virus in 2002 and later working for Vihiga Mushroom Project (VIMPRO) and Kenya Mushroom Growers Association (KEMGA), we decided to write a practical book based on Kenyan case study which might as well prove applicable to the whole of Africa. Mushroom production was introduced into the country in 1969. However, its cultivation has been hampered by lack of information, extension, research and reluctance of those in possession of skills to share with interested parties. We hope that this book will activate the latent demand in mushroom production and consumption.
Acknowledgement We acknowledge effort the Ministry of Agriculture Vihiga District did in the promotion of mushroom production in the district and as a result the whole country has seen the importance of mushroom cultivation. Our sincere gratitude goes to the District Agricultural Officer Ms Flora Musanga for her tireless support towards mushroom promotion and editing of this important book, the former District Crops Officer Mr. Jackson Mbato for his introduction of the crop in the district, Mr Walter Musoga, Joyce Agesa and Geoffrey Opondo who by then were crops officers in Vihiga district for their personal support in backstopping services in production, processing and value addition. We also congratulate farmers in the district for embracing the concept with a positive approach which saw the formation of an umbrella organization known as Vihiga Mushroom Project (VIMPRO) to undertake mushroom cultivation as a business to uplift their livelihood. We do appreciate the roll played by GTZ— Private Sector Development Agencies (PSDA) to have facilitated the capacity building in terms of spawns production, mushroom production, processing and value addition of mushrooms. Dr Michael Osoro a Plant pathologist and Mycologist of Baraton University and Daniel Rotich of KARI— Kakamega research centre cannot be forgotten for the provision of technical information in mushroom cultivation. They also edited the book. Last and not list is my wife Irene Kahuga Okwemba for her moral support in the writing and production of this book. I would also like to acknowledge the encouragement from my son Josiah Sagini. I also give my thanks to Felix Asenji Silingi for having taken time for typesetting and designing the book despite his tight schedules of studying for his degree in Industrial Chemistry.