RCE Swaziland Research And Innovation Through Community Mushroom Introduction Project By Isaac Gcina Dladla RCE Swaziland Coordinator Swaziland Environment Authority Research And Innovation Through Community Mushroom Introduction Project By Isaac Gcina Dladla RCE Swaziland Coordinator Swaziland Environment Authority

RCE Swaziland History Established in 2007 Currently Coordinated by the Swaziland Environment Authority Other lead partner institutions are the University of Swaziland; Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC) and Ministry of Education and Training

Key Activities- RCE Swaziland Collaborative Research Curriculum Reform across all levels- tertiary and secondary Community outreach Public awareness, participation and access to information Training and capacity building 4

Challenges Since 2007 low level of awareness nationally on the RCE irregular meetings The virtual nature of the RCEs RCE Swaziland activities vs emerging environmental challenges facing the country.

New Administration Structure of RCE Swaziland RCE Swaziland (Coordination) Pollution Control and Waste Management Climate Change Education EE/ESD and Curriculum Reorientation Green Economy (Sustainable consumption and Production) Biodiversity Conservation Natural Resources Management (Energy & Water, forestry) Sustainable Livelihood and Food Security Land Degradation

Training Of Farmers On Production Of Mushrooms At Shewula In Swaziland Shewula located in the northern eastern border of the country with Mozambique The area, like most of such in the country, experiences high poverty levels and difficulties in accessing basic socio- economic infrastructure and service Neighbouring three of the country’s national and private game reserves High levels of illegal poaching High incidence of conflicts between Conservationist and communities

Objectives of the Project The project was mainly intended to training a small group of farmers to produce mushrooms. The initial group of trained farmers would then be required to be local experts to train other farmers in the community (ToT).

1. Identification And Initial Contact With Potential Candidate Farmers

2. Preliminary Meeting With Selected Farmers. In all three (3) farmers were identified for training in the production of mushrooms as trainers of trainers. The limited number was dictated by the small amount of resources available for the project.

3. Identification Of Structures For To Be Used For Production Of Mushrooms

4.Training of The Selected Farmers

1 st StageCollection and preparation of litter

2 nd StageDisinfection of litter

3 rd StagePreparation of litter for sterilization

4 th StageWeighing of the litter

5 th StagePutting The Litter Plastics In The Sterilization Chamber

6 th StageThe planting stage

7 th StageTransfer of plastic samples to the growing facility

Success factors Close collaboration of RCE Swaziland partners the funding provided by the UNISWA MESA Chair Potential to address real community need

challenges The biggest challenge is availability of time to undertake community outreach projects. Moreover, insufficient financial support is a challenge in the implementation projects of this nature

Isaac Gcina Dladla (Msc. Env Impact Ass, Auditing& EMS) Swaziland Environment Authority P.O Box 2602 Mbabane H100 Url: Tel: Fax: Mobile: +268 Contacts