Entrepreneur turns failure into thriving mushroom business

By Ndumiso Tshuma
Mushroom farmer Dumoluhle Moyo, a determined entrepreneur, is making significant strides in sustainable agriculture by turning financial losses from online ventures into a thriving mushroom farming business.
Moyo, deeply passionate about agriculture and online marketing, found his true calling in cultivating oyster and button mushrooms. In pursuit of his mission, he developed an innovative online course app to teach others the art of mushroom farming.
Reflecting on his journey, Moyo shared that he once envisioned a successful career as an online forex trading entrepreneur. However, he faced significant setbacks, losing money through dubious affiliate marketing programs and unreliable forex trading robots.
“My journey into mushroom farming began after a challenging experience in online ventures that led to big financial losses. I used to see myself as an online kingpin, but as affiliate marketing tactics became oversaturated, my success declined. I eventually closed my forex trading accounts after discovering that the trading robots I had purchased were scams,” said Moyo.
Recognizing the need for change, Moyo ventured into agriculture in early 2024. He connected with local farmers, initially selling food in town before discovering the potential of mushroom farming.
“At first, I sold food in town and made pies to get by. Over time, I met farmers specializing in mushroom cultivation and learned a great deal about growing oyster and button mushrooms. This knowledge led me to start my own company, Sisu Farmers,” he explained.
Moyo noted that starting the business was not easy due to the lack of essential equipment and supplies.
“Starting was incredibly challenging. I had to save up for startup kits, including spawn and substrate, most of which had to be sourced from Harare. Balancing this with my responsibilities as a parent and provider made it even harder. Every dollar I earned went toward supporting my family, leaving no room for failure,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Moyo launched his first online mushroom project in June 2024. Over time, he and his team developed an affordable online training program to teach people how to grow oyster and button mushrooms for just US$5.
“Our initial training sessions were held at Hillside Teachers College and Sir Humphrey Gibbs Training Institute, attracting participants from diverse areas like Hillside, Waterford, and Parklands,” said Moyo.
Looking ahead, Moyo aims to write a book titled The First Mushroom Farmers and create a website called Online Fruit and Vegetables to educate people on growing mushrooms and other vegetables.
“Iโm also developing an auction site where farmers can sell their livestock directly, eliminating middlemen who often exploit them. This platform will ensure farmers receive fair compensation,” he added.