Bamenda handicraft village trains youth entrepreneurs in mushroom farming.

Held recently at the Bamenda Regional Handicraft Village, the two-day workshop brought together participants for hands-on lessons designed to strengthen local entrepreneurship through agricultural innovation.

According to information made public by the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts, MINPMEESA, the initiative focused on practical techniques for oyster mushroom production, with organisers aiming to provide participants with knowledge that can be used to create sustainable economic opportunities.

The ministry revealed that during the training, participants were guided through every stage of the cultivation process. 

Sessions covered the identification of cultivation materials and ingredients, preparation and pasteurisation of the substrate, filling and preparation of cultivation bags, planting mushroom seeds into the substrate bags, and the proper storage and maintenance conditions required for fruiting.

The workshop, MINPMEESA said, was conducted in an interactive format, allowing participants to take part directly in each practical stage of production. 

Organisers added that the hands-on approach was intended to ensure that trainees acquired the technical skills needed to begin their own mushroom production activities after the programme.

Harvesting of the mushrooms planted during the training is expected to begin from the 18th day after planting, giving participants the opportunity to observe the complete production cycle from preparation to harvest.

The Bamenda Regional Handicraft Village said the initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to promote local entrepreneurship and encourage innovative agricultural practices capable of generating income for young people and small-scale business operators.

At the close of the workshop, the coordinator congratulated participants for their commitment throughout the two-day programme and urged them to apply the knowledge acquired to strengthen their economic independence. 

Participants were also encouraged to use the skills developed during the training to contribute to local development through small-scale mushroom production ventures.

The workshop marks the continuation of practical skills-based training initiatives at the Bamenda Regional Handicraft Village, with a focus on supporting economic empowerment through accessible and sustainable agricultural production methods.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3804 of Monday June 01, 2026