Tucked away in the green hills of Kegalle, a quiet yet inspiring enterprise is taking root. The Kegalle Mushroom Producers Association, fondly known as KEMPA, brings together around 40 small-scale entrepreneurs who have turned humble home spaces into thriving pockets of cultivation. Within shaded sheds and improvised growing rooms, families nurture delicate clusters of American Oyster and Abalone mushrooms — a source of both nutrition and pride.

These are truly community-run ventures: husbands and wives tending to mushroom beds together, children helping with packaging, and neighbors lending a hand when demand surges. The mushrooms find their way to nearby markets and local shops, meeting the steady appetite for this affordable, protein-rich food.

The project with AOF

Yet, beneath the success stories lie persistent challenges. Many producers struggle to find high-quality mushroom seeds (spawn), the right growing media, and the knowledge to maintain proper housing conditions. With limited access to training and technology, expanding beyond the familiar two varieties into higher-value mushrooms like Shiitake or Button remains just out of reach.

That’s where AOF stepped in — to help bridge these gaps. Through knowledge-sharing, skill development, and infrastructure support, AOF is working hand in hand with KEMPA members to improve quality, productivity, and access to wider markets. Together, they are cultivating not just mushrooms, but opportunities — for employment, for income, and for the flourishing of a community determined to grow.