Ms. Chau Thi Nuong, representative of Ta Danh Cooperative, An Giang province presented the model "Using rice straw to produce black termite mushroom embryos"
The utilization of rice straw to cultivate black termite mushroom embryos has emerged as the winning initiative in the "Creative Livelihood Initiatives in Agriculture" contest, organized by Oxfam in Vietnam and its partners.
At the Ta Danh Cooperative in An Giang province, women have successfully harnessed the potential of rice straw, a by-product of rice production, to cultivate black termite mushrooms through a controlled and efficient process. This pioneering approach, a first of its kind in the Mekong Delta region, has garnered significant recognition for its substantial environmental benefits. By making use of rice cultivation by-products and minimizing the harmful practices of burning and burying straws, the initiative contributes to environmental preservation.
Beyond its positive impact on the environment, this endeavor is anticipated to generate stable employment opportunities for over ten women, providing them with a monthly income of nearly 8,000,000 VND. Consequently, it not only elevates their role and influence within their families and society but also amplifies their voices.
The contest has attracted more than 30 ingenious and purposeful agricultural livelihood initiatives over the course of two months. Alongside the first prize, the contest recognized six other commendable proposals that focused on enhancing women's economic empowerment, fostering digital transformation, and facilitating local economic development.
The program is part of the series: "Promoting women's economic empowerment in the rice value chain", under the project "The Gender Transformative and Responsible Agribusiness Investments in South East Asia - phase 2” (GRAISEA 2) funded by the Embassy of Sweden, implemented by Oxfam and partners ICAFIS, RECERD, MCD Vietnam.
