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A national capacity-building workshop, themed Promoting Juncao Technology for Resilient Food Systems, Poverty Eradication, and Climate Adaptation in Kenya, kicked off in Nairobi from March 17 to 19, bringing together agricultural experts, government officials, and local farmers to explore how the Chinese-developed Juncao technology can address Kenya's pressing agricultural challenges and enhance climate resilience.

Juncao, the "grass of happiness" developed by Chinese scientists, is rapidly becoming a symbol of agricultural vitality in Kenya. As a multifunctional ecological solution, Juncao serves as a high-quality livestock fodder, replaces timber in the cultivation of edible and medicinal mushrooms, and contributes significantly to soil conservation and the control of desertification.

Prof. Lin Zhanxi, inventor of Juncao technology and Chief Scientist of China's National Juncao Engineering Research Center, delivered a keynote and shared the technology's origins and global impact. He explained how the technology originated in western Fujian Province, China, in the 1980s as a solution to the ecological tension between mushroom cultivation and forest preservation. After 40 years of continuous innovation, Juncao has evolved from "grass instead of wood" for mushroom farming to "grass instead of grain" for livestock, and now extends to ecological restoration and power generation. Lin then emphasized that the "Juncao path" is a practical route for smallholder farmers to escape poverty and a concrete means of implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Speaking at the workshop, UN Resident Coordinator Stephen Jackson highlighted Juncao technology's tailored adaptation and multi-sector benefits for Africa. He commended its climate resilience and people-centered advantages and reaffirmed the commitment to deepening South-South cooperation to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Bishar Fille Elmi, Director of Livestock Production at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, underscored the critical need for promotion of Juncao technology at the local level. He emphasized the technology’s practical value in enhancing agricultural supply and stressed the need for continuous scientific evaluation and technical validation.

Experts at the workshop analyzed the applications and local potential of Juncao from multiple perspectives. They highlighted the status of Kenya's livestock and feed industry and how Juncao could drive its development, while also discussing the current state of Kenya's mushroom production and consumption and the opportunities Juncao presents for the sector. Additionally, they explored Juncao's potential in desertification and erosion control as a tool for local climate change adaptation.

The practical impact of this vision was brought to life by two local farmers who shared their transformative journeys. By cultivating this resilient grass, they have not only contributed to national efforts to combat drought but also created sustainable wealth for their families and communities.

The promotion of Juncao is more than just a transfer of agricultural technology, as it is a testament to the shared vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, where China and Kenya join hands to tackle climate disasters and build a green home.

As Juncao technology continues to flourish and more African farmers adopt it for both subsistence and commercial farming, this "grass of happiness" is poised to bring hope, resilience, and prosperity to the African continent.