Rotary Club trains over 200 Imo women on mushroom farming to boost food security

Over two Hundred women in Imo State have been trained on mushroom farming by the Rotary Club of Owerri Newtown in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Ogwa to enhance their economic development.

The training held at Queen of Peace Catholic Parish, Irette, Owerri West LGA, Imo State, weekend according to Rotary Club formed part of the their seven areas of focus, including: vocational service, maternal and child care, basic education and literacy, peace building and conflict prevention, water sanitation and hygiene, economic and community development and support for the environment.

Addressing the women, the President of the Rotary Club of Owerri Newtown, Rtn. Oscar Akano, said, “Rotary Club as a service oriented organisation, engages members in various positive actions towards making the society better.”

He added that the training was in line with the club’s vocational project, highlighting that the choice of mushroom was because of its health and economic benefits.

On his own, the President, Rotary Club of Ogwa, Rtn. Innocent Igboanugo, while urging the women to leverage the free training on mushroom for their benefits, averred that the harsh economic situation in the country informed the lecture towards impacting the beneficiaries new means of income as well as to provide their families necessary nutrients to stay healthy, expressing gratitude for their interest and commitment.

Delivery her lecture titled: “Healthier and Wealthier Living through Mushroom Production,” the Guest Speaker, Mrs. Kelechi Nwachukwu, informed the trainees that the lecture was aimed at impacting them knowledge of how to live more meaningful and healthier through the production of mushroom, adding that the organizers were thoughtful with the choice of the topic.

Nwachukwu, a Director of Fruiting Gardens Ltd, Owerri, noted that the selenium found in mushroom makes it essential to the health as it helps in preventing breast, prostrate cancers and tumors, while being effective in combating arthritis, cataract, heart issues and immune and blood deficiencies.

She regretted that despite the benefits, people presently are yet to significantly tap the benefits of mushroom like those of old who could easily get it from the forests.

Beyond the health benefits, the lecturer also challenged the women to consider the need to shore up their finances in order to meet family needs, especially with the challenging times in the country. She added that mushroom farming required moderate start-up capital as a reliable source of income that one could operate at home.

She outlined steps in mushroom production to include nurturing in a dark corner, exposure to low temperature, watering to maturity and harvesting, saying that the process could take 30 days. According to her, right environment like forests with shields was key to high yield, encouraging participants on appropriate actions.

Also speaking, the District Membership Chair of Rotary Club (District 9142), Rtn. Mrs. Nneka Enwenike, said that members of the Club use their time, resources and talents to serve humanity, urging the women to utilize the opportunity as well as for the well-to-do to join the club.

Both Rtn. Mrs. Pet Anuruo, the President-Elect for the Rotary Club, Ogwa and Rtn. Mrs. Angel Amaefula, the Vocational Chair for Rotary Club, Owerri Newtown, highlighted the importance of the seminar.