Beijing - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday sent a congratulatory letter to the Forum on the 20th Anniversary of Juncao Assistance and Sustainable Development Cooperation, which was held both online and offline in Beijing.
The forum was co-hosted by the China International Development Cooperation Agency and the Fujian provincial government.
According to the letter, the Chinese president hailed the achievements secured during the last 20 years of China’s Juncao aid program and hoped that the Forum would make further remarkable strides in field of Juncao technology and would help small-scale farmers develop mushroom cultivation industry not only in China but also in other world states.
Juncao, which is famed as “magic grass,” is two Chinese characters meaning “mushroom” and “grass.” The particular breed of grass was discovered by Chinese scientists to be an economical and environment-friendly substitute for timber traditionally used as a substrate for growing mushrooms. Juncao technology has now been disseminated to 106 countries through training programs or on-site demonstrations.
In his letter, Xi said the technology has facilitated the efficient use of three major agricultural resources – light, heat and water – and realized the recycling of plant, animal and fungal materials, benefiting ecological, food and energy security.
Xi said he has paid close attention to international cooperation on Juncao technology for a long time. Since China built the first overseas demonstration base for Juncao technology in Papua New Guinea in 2001, the technology has been introduced to more than 100 countries, playing an important role in alleviating poverty, creating jobs, promoting the use of renewable energy, addressing climate change and improving people’s welfare, he noted.
He said that China stands ready to work with relevant parties to make further contributions to the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, he said, expressing hope that Juncao technology will bring more benefits to people in developing countries.
Juncao technology developed by China National Engineering Research Centre for Juncao technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) of China, can also be used for producing feed, biogas and also minimise soil erosion to combat desertification, by planting Juncao grass species with high yield.
Juncao technology fits the special conditions and needs of many countries in Africa and it is a solution to help them overcome their development challenges and advance the implementation of 13 SDGs (No poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, economic growth, sustainable consumption and production, climate change, and biodiversity, forests, and desertification).
China aid Juncao technology projects have been implemented in Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Rwanda, Lesotho and Central Africa Republic.
The Juncao technology demonstration centre/bases have been established in 13 countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Rwanda, Lesotho, South Africa, Madagascar, Eritrea, Central Africa Republic, Republic of the Congo, Tanzania and Nigeria. The key beneficiaries are small-scale farmers, including women and youth living in poverty. The disadvantaged groups who are not well educated, or disabled, or the elderly can all participate in and benefit from the Juncao technology production activities. More than 10,000 people from developing countries were trained on this technology, and 24 young students have gained opportunities to study in FAFU for their master and/or Doctorate degree under scholarship, aiming to bring up a local technical team for sustainable development.
Farmers can generate income in 7-10 days after planting mushroom substrate packs. 1,200 kilos fresh mushroom could be produced in a 10 square meters land in a year. The mushroom products have entered the local markets, restaurants and hotels. Besides, 1 hectare land produces 300 tons fresh grass per year, which can grow 120 tons fresh mushroom, or feed 30 cattle/300 goats.