In Bafoussam, in western Cameroon, growers are trying to diversify the outlets for the mushrooms they grow on agricultural waste. Myciculture, or the cultivation of edible mushrooms, has long been developed in the West and especially in China, by far the world's largest producer, but it is still not very widespread in Africa.
In Bafoussam, the capital of the West region and the country's third-largest city, Jean-Claude Youbi has discovered the opportunities for mushroom cultivation, as have other small entrepreneurs throughout the country. Thousands of oyster mushrooms are growing in a dark room of his Groupe initiatives Communes (GIC Champignon), which was launched with partners four years ago in Bafoussam. They are grown in rows on shelves on agricultural waste, packaged in plastic bags.
Still, it is difficult to get an idea of the extent and weight of the industry because there is no official national data on production and consumption. The life of the GIC Champignon is marked by constant comings and goings.
Source: africanews.com