Online Reporter
Muchaneta Chimuka
Herald Reporter
GOVERNMENT is supporting Juncao grass production to help farmers cope with climate change and boost their livelihoods.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, in collaboration with China’s National Engineering Research Centre of Juncao Technology, is promoting this initiative.
Juncao grass is a high-yield, protein-rich hybrid grass that is great for livestock feed, mushroom cultivation and environmental protection.
Over 250 plants have been planted in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland, with plans to expand across all provinces.
China National Engineering Research Centre of Juncao Technology deputy director, Professor Lin Dongmei, highlighted the Juncao grass benefits, saying it had been used in China for years and was introduced in Zimbabwe last year.
“Juncao herbaceous plant can be used as the culture substrate for cultivation of edible and medicinal fungi, livestock feed and can be used for the cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms and organic fertilisers,” she said.
Agriculture Rural Development Advisory Services (ARDAS) chief director, Mrs Medlinah Magwenzi, said they were also looking at exporting cuttings to the SADC region and creating value-added products.
“There is also hope of up-scaling training of trainers on Juncao technology and to establish nurseries in all Village Business Units (VBUs) with prospects of exporting cuttings into the SADC region as well as value-added products like pellets,” she said.
Mrs Magwenzi said the grass was also important in environmental protection and management practices, such as gully reclamation
Farmers are already seeing the benefits.
Nyabira mushroom farmer, Mrs Makandida Mangwiro, is using Juncao grass to grow mushrooms and save on costs.
“Since I started Juncao grass farming, I have saved money, which I used to buy materials for cultivating mushrooms,” she said.
Matabeleland South livestock farmer, Mr Obert Chinhamo, uses Juncao grass for fodder and land reclamation.
Matabeleland South livestock farmer, Mr Obert Chinhamo, uses the grass as fodder and for land reclamation.
“Juncao grass grows fast and it is highly nutritious for our livestock, especially in our dry regions. It is really a lifesaver. We also use it to save our soils from erosion and to reclaim our damaged land,” he said.
“I can safely say the grass is empowering farmers in line with the Government’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind in terms of development.”
