Student-led agribusiness innovation: Organic oyster mushroom production and marketing in Cape Coast, Ghana

The health benefits of mushrooms have led to a steady increase in demand across households in Ghana. However, limited production capacity has created a gap between demand and supply, forcing many restaurants and guesthouses to remove mushrooms from their menus. This study addresses that gap through the establishment of Trinity Mushroom Enterprise, focused on the organic production and processing of oyster mushrooms at the University of Cape Coast. The enterprise employed innovative marketing strategies including door-to-door sales, social media promotion, and word-of-mouth advertising to reach target customers. While the study proved as a successful agribusiness venture, challenges such as structural defects, pest outbreaks, and inadequate shelving reduced overall output. Recommendations include structural improvements like insulated greenhouses and better incubation-cropping separation. This study reveals that organic mushroom farming holds great promise as a viable and profitable venture in Ghana, thriving when supported by the right environmental practices and market access.