Farmers in Hurungwe Ward 2 have taken a significant step towards economic empowerment, with 54 participants graduating with certificates in mushroom production after completing an intensive training programme facilitated by Fambidzanai Permaculture Centre under the USHINGI Programme, an initiative aimed at enhancing sustainable and diversified livelihood options for rural communities, promoting inclusive economic growth.
The training, that took place in early December, equipped participants with practical skills in mushroom production, value addition, and enterprise management, 65% of the trainees were youth, with the majority being women, highlighting the initiative’s focus on empowering young people and women in agriculture.
The impact of the training extended well beyond the classroom, demonstrating strong initiative and ownership, participants self-organized a graduation ceremony, designed and produced their own certificates of completion, establishing the Hurungwe Ward 2 Mushroom Production Governing Committee. These actions marked a critical step toward structured governance, accountability, and long-term sustainability of the enterprise.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Angella Nengu one of the graduates expressed her gratitude to the Ushingi programme for equipping them with the necessary skills and confidence to start their mushroom projects.
“This training has given us more than just skills in mushroom production, it has given us confidence and a pathway to economic independence, through the Ushingi Programme, we have learned how to produce, add value and manage our mushroom enterprise as a business.” She said.
The graduating cohort included a local Councillor and two Agricultural Business Advisory Officers (ABAOs), strengthening local leadership and positioning the Ward to mobilize and train additional farmers in mushroom production.
The Guest of Honour, former Member of Parliament for Hurungwe East, Hon. Ngoni Masenda praised the initiative for its potential to create sustainable income, particularly for young people, and urged the graduates to approach mushroom production as a formal business, emphasizing the importance of proper record-keeping, consistent production, and establishing strong market linkages.
The ceremony marked a beginning of new livelihood opportunities for farmers in Hurungwe District’s Ward 2, through initiatives like the USHINGI programme, communities are being empowered with climate smart, low-cost agricultural enterprises that promote food security, income generation, and economic resilience.
Attracting close to 98 community members and key stakeholders, the graduation ceremony reflected strong local and institutional support for the initiative. Among those in attendance were representatives from the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Zimbabwe Farmers Union (ZFU), the Grain Marketing Board (GMB), Green World, Traditional leaders and various District stakeholders.
Farmers in Ward 2 have officially begun mushroom production, scaling up into semi-commercial units and contributing toward USHINGI’s ambitious annual target of 22,500 metric tonnes. The programme continues to focus on diversifying livelihoods and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to ensure long-term food security and income generation for communities in Hurungwe Ward 2.
