In recent times, increasing numbers of young Nigerians are delving into mushroom farming, using techniques that are way different from conventional. Etimbuk Brownson has an academic background in medicine but has now taken mushroom farming as a major occupation.
He not only grows mushrooms but has diversified into mushroom dishes for the public and mushroom workshops. The traffic of consumers at his Mushroom Hangout in a Lagos suburb includes those patronizing as a result of the nutrients and health values.
In an interview, Etimbuk explained that "Today's mushroom farming is a soil-less urban farming technique that is grown using sawdust and other agricultural wastes like rice bran. It is grown vertically." Etimbuk's farm sits on a quarter plot of land. Unlike other types of farming, mushrooms do not need much land space for cultivation, and no pesticides either.
"You don't need chemicals or pesticides to grow mushrooms. It's an organic farming system whose duration is not time-consuming. "It takes only three months from planting to harvest. Mushroom farming uses up waste. It conserves the environment so that there is no pollution from chemicals." According to him, mushroom farming is now profitable because many have discovered its health benefits.
In addition, the mushroom is capable of giving those interested considerable comfort of sorts, he said. Etimbuk who has his farm in Lagos said "it is a good source of income and one can also earn foreign exchange from mushroom farming." He encourages more Nigerians individually and in groups or as government to venture into this type of farming.
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