By Constance Hunt | Executive Director
The products from the micropilot are now available in a few local markets. During a 2-day team meeting on Zablon's farm in mid-February, the team harvested and bottled honey and bagged dried oyster mushrooms - the fresh ones had already been sold and consumed.
The team set prices for the initial range of products, including bottled honey and fresh, dried, and powdered mushrooms. Paul introduced a new mushroom product line - mushroom enriched porridge flour. Savory millet porridge is a nutritious staple of the Kenyan diet, especially for children. Millet provides dietary fiber and pre-biotics, which increase calcium absorption and bone density, regulate blood sugar and improve digestion and metabolism. The mushrooms add antioxidants and vitamin B to the mix. Antioxidants are believed to provide protection from heart disease and cancer. Vitamin B helps break down carbohydrates, fats and protiens, thus releasing energy to the body.
Prices were set based on levels of processing and transport costs. For example, one kilogram of fresh mushrooms sold at the farm gate will go for Ksh400 (about US$2.75), while powdered mushrooms in stores will fetch Ksh3000 per kilo (about US$20.55). Profits will be re-invested in maintaining and increasing production. Proceeds from this season's mushroom harvest have already been re-invested in producing a new crop.
Meanwhile, the hardwood trees are growing even faster than Zablon's children!
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