PNG PM Meets Chinese Scientist Behind Juncao Breakthrough

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has held talks with Chinese scientist Dr Lin Zhanxi, the inventor of Juncao technology, during a meeting confirmed by the Chinese Embassy in Port Moresby.

 PNG PM Meets Chinese Scientist Behind Juncao Breakthrough/Photo supplied

The discussions highlighted PNG’s long-standing partnership with China in agriculture, with officials noting the country’s role as the first destination for the global rollout of the Juncao system.

Juncao technology involves growing a special type of grass that can be used to cultivate mushrooms, feed livestock, act as windbreaks and reduce soil erosion in rural areas.

Records show the initiative was first introduced into Papua New Guinea in 1997 in Eastern Highlands Province, during the time Xi Jinping served as Governor of Fujian Province in China.

Since 2000, Chinese expert teams specialising in Juncao and upland rice have been deployed across the country to support farming communities.

Over the past 25 years, these specialists have worked alongside local farmers to expand mushroom production, improve livestock feeding practices and introduce upland rice cultivation.

The Chinese Embassy stated that the programme has helped improve livelihoods and created income opportunities for tens of thousands of Papua New Guineans.