This document discusses the cultivation of wild edible mushrooms in the Great Lakes region of Africa. It notes that wild fungi are an important source of food and income for many in the region but traditional knowledge is being lost. It describes research testing the growth of various edible mushroom species on different organic substrates, finding highest yields for some species on sawdust. Preliminary tests aim to develop low-input cultivation techniques for villagers. An ongoing project seeks to further understand the biodiversity, food value and socio-economic impacts of cultivating edible fungi in the region.

1. Valorizing the African NWFPs: cultivation of wild
edible mushrooms in the Great Lakes region
Jérôme DEGREEF

2. People and fungi
• Household food insecurity in tropical Africa
• 2/3 population relies on NWFPs, incl. wild edible fungi
• Valuable source of food
• Important source of income contributing to household economy
• Need for an inventory and valorization of wild edible fungi

3. Montane & bamboo forests of the Great Lakes region
• Mostly converted in National Parks
• Edible fungi (officially) not collected by local populations because legal
restricted access to natural resources
• Loss of traditional knowledge

4. Huge diversity of edible species
Pleurotus flabellatusAuricularia delicata
Collybia aurea
Lentinus squarrosulus
Lepista sordida
• All could potentially be grown on organic waste

5. Pleurotus tuber-regium
• Traditional cultivation method

6. Substrate Yield (%) ± SD
Pleurotus cystidiosus Banana leaves
Acacia pods
Oil palm inflorescences
Papyrus straw
Sugar cane
Sawdust
14.0 ± 5.2
14.0 ± 5.5
17.0 ± 4.5
17.9 ± 3.0
18.0 ±1.5
24.0 ± 2.5
Auricularia cornea Sawdust
Papyrus straw
11.0 ± 1.7
15.7 ± 5.8
Lentinus squarrosulus Sawdust 19.1 ± 1.9
Lentinus
brunneofloccosus
Papyrus straw 10.5 ± 1.8
Schizophyllum
commune
Papyrus straw 11.6 ± 2.5
Pleurotus flabellatus Sawdust
Papyrus straw
17.7 ± 5.0
21.8 ± 2.8
Lentinus cladopus Sugar cane
Sawdust
Acacia pods
11.0 ± 2.9
11.0 ± 2.4
15.0 ± 3.5
Marasmius buzungolo Sugar cane
Grass straw
Sawdust
Acacia pods
3.8 ± 0.7
5.6 ± 0.7
6.0 ± 2.5
17.0 ± 5.5
Preliminary cultivation tests
• Wild strains valorized through low-input techniques by villagers
• Further research on substrates to increase yields
• Meet people’s needs and has a positive social impact

7. R&D project 2018-2022
Biodiversity - Food value - Socio-economics

8. Edible Fungi of Tropical Africa
www.EFTA-online.org
launched : end 2017
793 entries - 181 edible species

9. More info ?
jerome.degreef@botanicgardenmeise.be