GROWING OF MUSHROOMS
Introduction
Mushroom cultivation and processing requires simple
technology thus it can be taken up by women groups. The common type used is the
button mushroom (agaricus bisporus. Composted manure of
moisture content of 60% can be formed from cow dung, chopped wheat straw, wheat
bran, gypsum, and ammonium sulphate. Poultry manure could also be added. The
manure is pasteurized and conditioned. A mushroom house is built with a
framework of steel-tube, covered with 500-gauge clear polythene lined with
insulating material like thermo Cole from outside and covered with black
polythene.
Raw materials
Mushroom spawn/seeds, Maize brand, Cotton waste or wheat straws, Timber Waste, Polythene leaves, Chemical fertilizers. All the raw materials are available locally, from spawn to compost. All the materials for construction and growing will be sourced from local suppliers in Uganda. Buying in bulk and having a set design for construction will make the process more efficient.
Market Analysis
Due to the nature of the product and the small scale
nature of this project, there is very little marketing required. Initially, the
availability of this entrepreneurship opportunity must be marketed to increase
public awareness, but as this is on a small scale, it could be covered using
costless methods such as: church announcements and other community events.
There are many small scale investors in this sector spread across the Country.
Processing
Drying: Mushrooms are very perishable and have to be processed to raise their
shelf life. Mushrooms are dried up to (12% moisture) and this keeps away
mosquitoes. Dried mushrooms can be stored for more than a year, but there is a
change in their taste and flavor. Dried mushroom can be ground to make mushroom
soup. The mushroom soup on the Ugandan markets is all imported.
Freezing
Mushrooms are frozen and dehydrated through sublimation. 90% of the water is
lost. The mushrooms are very similar to fresh ones except that they are 10
times lighter. Alternatively, blanched (bleached) mushrooms are preserved in a
steeping solution containing sodium chloride (2%), citric acid, for a period of
8-10 days at 21-28 degrees Celsius.
Project Costs (Fixed and Working
Capital) Revenue
Capital Investment Requirements
|
Item |
Units |
Qty |
Unit cost |
Amount |
|
Construction |
No. |
3 |
700 |
2,100 |
|
Deckers |
No. |
4 |
300 |
1,200 |
|
Drums |
No. |
2 |
30 |
60 |
|
Charcoal stove |
No. |
2 |
30 |
60 |
|
Weighing scale |
No |
2 |
60 |
120 |
|
Packaging Machine (Sealing) |
No. |
2 |
75 |
150 |
|
Other equipment |
various |
1 |
100 |
100 |
|
Total |
3,790 |
Direct Materials, Supplies and costs in US $
|
|
Cost item |
Units |
Unit |
Qty/ |
Cost/ |
Cost/ |
Cost/ |
|
Direct Costs |
|||||||
|
Cotton waste |
Bags |
3.0 |
30.0 |
90.0 |
30 |
360 |
|
|
Timber waste |
Bags |
2.0 |
30.0 |
60.0 |
20 |
240 |
|
|
Maize Brand |
Sacks |
5.0 |
10.0 |
50.0 |
17 |
200 |
|
|
Polythene |
Bundle |
3.0 |
20.0 |
60.0 |
20 |
240 |
|
|
Mushroom |
Jerican |
120.0 |
6.0 |
720.0 |
240 |
2,880 |
|
|
Subtotal |
133.0 |
70 |
200 |
67 |
3,920 |
||
|
General Costs (Overheads) |
|||||||
|
Administration expenses |
500 |
6,000 |
|||||
|
Labour |
875 |
10,500 |
|||||
|
Utilities |
350 |
4,200 |
|||||
|
Rent |
600 |
7,200 |
|||||
|
Selling & Distribution Expenses (Advertising) |
250 |
3,000 |
|||||
|
Depreciation |
79 |
948 |
|||||
|
Miscellaneous |
150 |
1,800 |
|||||
|
Subtotals |
2,804 |
33,648 |
|||||
|
Total operating Costs |
2,871 |
37,568 |
Project Product Costs and Price
Structure in US $
|
Item |
Qty/ |
Qty/year |
Unit |
Prod/ |
Unit |
Revenue |
|
Fresh |
80 |
24,960 |
1.51 |
37,568 |
2.0 |
49,920 |
|
Dried |
60 |
18,720 |
2.01 |
37,568 |
3.0 |
56,160 |
|
Powdered |
60 |
18,720 |
2.01 |
37,568 |
4.20 |
78,624 |
Profitability analysis
|
Item |
Per day |
Per month |
Per year |
|
Revenue |
160 |
4,160 |
49,920 |
|
Less: Production operating costs |
120 |
3,131 |
37,568 |
|
Profit |
40 |
1,029 |
12,353 |