Consultancy Opportunity: Mushroom Production Training and Mushroom Cultivation Hut Construction

Southern Tanzania Elephant Program (STEP) is seeking to engage a qualified and experienced mushroom production specialist to deliver practical training on mushroom cultivation and construct two mushroom cultivation huts, one in the Kilombero Valley and one in Iringa Rural District. The activity forms part of STEP’s livelihoods program, which aims to diversify household incomes through sustainable and environmentally friendly enterprises that strengthen community resilience and provide alternative income-generating opportunities.

To build the capacity of community members to establish and manage profitable mushroom enterprises through practical training and the construction of simple, locally appropriate mushroom production huts. The approach should emphasise simple, locally appropriate and replicable production methods, using materials and inputs that can reasonably be accessed by rural households.

Responsibilities

• Developing and delivering practical, hands‑on training in mushroom production for around 40 community members.
• Training participants on:
  • Introduction to mushroom farming and enterprise development.
  • Selection of suitable mushroom species, taking into account local climatic conditions, availability of inputs and market demand.
  • Selection and preparation of growing substrates.
  • Mushroom spawn handling and inoculation.
  • Construction and management of mushroom growing bags.
  • Environmental management (temperature, humidity and hygiene).
  • Pest and disease prevention and management.
  • Harvesting, handling, storage and marketing of mushrooms.

Training should be substantially practical. Participants should have the opportunity to undertake key production activities themselves, where feasible. The consultant should propose the most appropriate mushroom species for the project locations in their technical proposal. STEP anticipates that oyster mushroom production may be appropriate, but selection will be agreed with STEP based on technical suitability, local conditions, availability of inputs and market opportunities.

Construction

Constructing simple mushroom huts using locally available materials in selected project villages.

The huts should be:

• Suitable for local climatic conditions.
• Use locally available and affordable materials as much as possible.
• Provide appropriate ventilation, shading and humidity management.
• Allow for effective hygiene and sanitation.
• Include appropriate shelving, racks or other systems for managing growing bags, where required.
• Provide adequate drainage and protection from rain and other environmental risks.
• Be designed to be simple enough for community members to replicate using locally available materials.
• Be appropriate for the proposed production method and scale.

The consultant should include the proposed hut design and estimated production capacity and required materials in the technical proposal.

Recommendations and Reporting

Providing STEP with recommendations for sustaining mushroom production following the training.

Submitting a brief completion report summarizing activities conducted, participants trained, demonstration huts constructed, challenges encountered and recommendations.

Deliverables

• Practical mushroom production training for around 40 community members, including copies of training materials.
• Construction of two mushroom cultivation huts in agreed project locations with community members
• Final activity report, including participant lists and photographic documentation.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in commercial or community-based mushroom production.
• Proven experience delivering practical mushroom production training.
• Demonstrated experience constructing simple mushroom production huts or growing structures.
• Strong facilitation and adult training skills.
• Experience working with rural communities and farmer groups.
• Ability to communicate effectively in Kiswahili.
• Previous experience working with NGOs or community development projects will be an added advantage.

The assignment is expected to take place during mid-September 2026, with the exact schedule to be agreed upon with STEP. The consultant should be available to undertake both the construction of the huts and delivery of the training during this period. A detailed work schedule should be included in the technical proposal.

Submission Requirements

• A technical proposal describing their understanding of the assignment and proposed approach.
• Proposed technical and training approach.
• Proposed mushroom species and justification.
• Proposed design and specifications for the mushroom huts.
• Proposed work plan and timeline.
• A financial proposal, including all professional fees, itemized hut construction costs, materials and any other associated costs. The indicative budget for this assignment is approximately TZS 8,000,000. Bidders should provide a detailed and itemised financial proposal, demonstrating value for money and clearly identifying all costs associated with