Durban — In an effort to alleviate poverty and create employment, KwaZulu-Natal communities have been encouraged to take up mushroom farming using the Chinese Juncao technology.
Invented in 1986 by Professor Lin Zhanxi of Fujian Agriculture & Forestry University (Fafu), the 49 species of the hybrid Monach Juncao grass can be used to cultivate edible and medicinal mushrooms.
Hui Lin, director of training at the China National Juncao Research Center of Juncao Technology, said the late Zulu Monarch, King Goodwill Zwelithini, had endorsed the introduction of Juncao Technology in his home province during his three visits to Fujian Province.
“This technology has a function in food security and creates jobs to generate income, more and more developing countries are paying attention to this technology. At the moment, more than 9 presidents have visited the centre and the technology has spread to 107 countries,” said Lin.
He said the reed-like grass could also be used for cattle feed and to prevent soil erosion.
The centre has already established bases in 13 countries, including South Africa. They have been based at Cedara College of Agriculture near Howick.
Lungelo Dlamini, candidate scientist at the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Development, said the Juncao technology was introduced to them in 2005 and they’re currently using it for oyster mushroom production.
“Currently we have around 156 food security gardens and we have trained more than a thousand farmers,” said Dlamini.
He said they were looking at further utilising the Juncao grass, not just on mushroom production. He said the climate conditions in Fujian are almost similar to those of KZN and all other benefits of the technology could easily be adopted.
Dlamini encouraged more farmers to look into mushroom farming because there is a demand for them.
“Previously we focused on disadvantaged households for food security but as the demand grew, we started teaching farmers. Most were already into farming and wanted to add mushrooms. In Pongola, for example, I know some of them are supplying Spar and in Ilembe we also have very successful farmers,” said Dlamini.
“Annually we produce around 145 000 free mushroom packs and the department’s advisory services, based in all districts, identify interested beneficiaries.
“They prioritise co-operatives and also assist in getting markets to supply.
“Those with an interest can just go to their local department’s office for assistance,” said Dlamini.
Lin and Dlamini were speaking to 17 Durban University of Technology students who are currently in the south-eastern Chinese province on a two-week summer camp organised by DUT’s Confucius Institute and Fafu.
Themed “Experience Charming Fujian”, the students have been visiting various places to learn more on Chinese culture and modernisation.
“Currently, the Confucius Institute at the Durban University of Technology is promoting Chinese technical and vocational skill training programmes and Chinese Juncao technology is one of our pilot projects,” said Frank Lin Wu, director of DUT’s Confucius Institute.
“We are hoping to create a platform to benefit the local community, especially youth and women, by offering Mandarin courses so as to assist them in accessing various opportunities, as well as certain skills training.”
In 2017, Chinese President Xi Jinping promoted Juncao technology as a priority project of the China-UN Peace and Development Trust Fund to help the developing countries implement Sustainable Development Goals.
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