LocationsHarvesting Hope: Mushrooms are empowering women in Hurungwe
April 29, 2025
Shumirayi Shumirayi Chindori, group chairperson for the Mushumi area, lead mushroom farmer.
Hurungwe District, where tobacco farming is a way of life. A quiet revolution is taking place in small communities, led by women and powered by knowledge. Through a community-based model supported by the UNDP-ZRBF programme with financial support from the Embassy of Ireland, a group of determined women is transforming their lives and feeding their families not with tobacco, maize, or beans, but with mushrooms.
Shumirayi Chindori, group chairperson for the Mushumi area, is a passionate community champion who received specialized training in mushroom production under the UNDP-ZRBF programme. She was trained not just to grow mushrooms but to pass on that knowledge as a certified community trainer in the Mushumi area. To date, Shumirai has successfully trained 56 women from 7 wards, equipping them with the skills and confidence to become strong mushroom farmers. Beyond basic production, she is also spearheading sessions on the use of alternative substrates such as banana leaves and cotton waste, as critical solutions to mitigate the effects of drought-induced shortages of traditional materials like wheat straw and maize stalks. Her work is not only improving yields but also ensuring that mushroom farming remains sustainable and adaptable in the face of climate change.
“We never imagined mushrooms could change our lives this way,” said Shumirayi, “We were used to farming the hard way, ploughing, weeding, waiting for rains. Now, we are farming smart. Mushrooms don’t need much land or water.”
From growing oyster mushrooms in darkened huts lined with plastic sheeting, the women now produce up to 40kg per cycle, supplying local markets, schools, and even restaurants in Karoi and beyond. The profits have enabled many of them to pay school fees, buy groceries, and even start savings groups.
“I used to rely on my husband for everything and borrow from neighbours,” said Mrs Chabayanzara, a mother of six. “Now, I contribute equally at home. When I walk into the shop to buy school uniforms, I do it with my own money, and that means a lot to me,” she added.
For Shumirayi, mushroom farming has opened new doors. Through consistent sales and careful saving, she has managed to put aside money with plans to buy her first cattle.
“Owning cattle is something I’ve always dreamed of,” she said. “Mushrooms are helping me get there, one step at a time.”
However, the path hasn't been smooth. The women face difficulties accessing water for their mushroom houses, especially during drought seasons. Substrates made from agricultural waste like maize stalks are hard to find in dry periods. However, through partnerships with local agricultural officers and training support under ZRBF 2, they have learned composting, substrate treatment, and the use of alternative substrates like banana leaves.
A growing number of men in the community are actively supporting the women’s mushroom ventures, helping with infrastructure building, transport, and marketing. This shift in gender dynamics is slowly reshaping traditional household roles.
“At first, we thought this was women’s work,” said Mr. Noel Chabayanzara, a trained mushroom farmer. “But when we saw the income and how households are changing, we had to join in. Some of us now help with substrate collection and transport.”
Even husbands who once watched from the sidelines are now proud partners. Mr.Innocent Kutyauripo, Shumirai’s husband, now helps prepare the growing bags and manage hygiene in their mushroom house.
“I used to think mushroom farming was just a small backyard thing,” said Mr. Kutyauripo. “But when I saw how dedicated my wife was and how our income improved, I knew I had to support her. Now we work together, and it has made our bond stronger.”
As demand for mushrooms grows and women’s confidence grows, they are planning to scale up. With aspirations to build a processing unit and train more young women, the group sees mushroom farming not just as a livelihood but as a symbol of resilience and empowerment.
Speaking to Dhumisile Msimanga, Irish Embassy Programme Manager, during a monitoring visit to Hurungwe, the impact of the mushroom initiative was unmistakable.
“I was genuinely pleased to see how this simple but powerful intervention is transforming lives,” Dhumisile said. “What struck me most was not just the income, it was the pride, the teamwork, and how women are leading while men are supporting. That’s true community resilience.”
He noted that beyond income, the initiative was fostering a culture of learning, entrepreneurship, and mutual respect between men and women in rural households.
“You can feel the shift,” he added. “Men are no longer just observers. They’re now contributing in different capacities, which shows real change is happening at the household level.”
Shupikayi Zimuto, UNDP Project Manager for the ZRBF initiative, echoed this sentiment, highlighting how the initiative is rooted in long-term resilience building.
“Mushroom farming is more than just an alternative livelihood; it’s a strategic investment in community resilience,” said Shupikayi. “We are seeing women gain confidence, men becoming allies, and households that once struggled now planning their futures. That is the kind of transformation ZRBF is proud to support.”
With continued support from UNDP and funding from the Embassy of Ireland, the mushroom initiative is not just a project, it’s a story of resilience, collaboration, and rising against the odds.
“This is only the beginning,” said Shumirayi, “Next season, we want to double production, and we will do it together.”