Zimbabwe Mainstreams Juncao Technology To Boost Food Security And Climate Resilience
Zimbabwe has taken a transformative step in climate-proofing its agricultural sector by moving the pioneering Juncao technology from pilot projects to a nationwide programme. This bold move aligns with the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2: 2026-2030), aiming to reinforce the country’s livestock, mushroom farming, agriculture value addition, and environmental sustainability.
Juncao technology: cornerstone of Zimbabwe’s agricultural transformation
At the National Capacity Building Workshop held in Harare on 23 March 2026, Professor Dr Obert Jiri, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (represented by Dr Dumisani Kutywayo, Chief Director of Research Education and Specialist Services), underlined the significance of Juncao technology. He described it as a key enabler in Zimbabwe’s quest to achieve a US$15.8 billion livestock economy and transition to an upper middle-income country by 2030.
“Agriculture is the bedrock of our economic growth. No nation has successfully transitioned to middle-income status without fundamentally transforming its agricultural productivity,” Prof Jiri stated. “Juncao technology is a powerful tool to help us achieve just that.”
How Juncao supports sustainable agriculture and livestock production
Originally developed in China, Juncao involves cultivating a fast-growing, high-protein grass that serves as an exceptional substrate for mushroom production. Zimbabwe currently produces around 855 metric tonnes of mushrooms annually, and Juncao’s timber-free method allows year-round, sustainable cultivation, thereby protecting fragile forest ecosystems.
In the livestock sector, Juncao’s drought-resistant qualities are transformative. Zimbabwe’s government plans to increase the national cattle herd from 5.7 million to 6.6 million and boost milk production by 75 percent. Juncao offers a reliable, high-quality source of silage critical to livestock nutrition, especially as 60 percent of the country lies within the drier Natural Regions 4 and 5.
Rapid adoption and integration across Zimbabwe
His Excellency Zhou Ding, Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, emphasised the rapid growth of Juncao over the past year. “In just 12 months, the Juncao project has spread to nine provinces, establishing 69 demonstration sites,” he noted.
To date, more than 50,000 seedlings have been distributed, empowering master demonstration households thriving across five provinces. The ambassador described Juncao as the “grass of prosperity” that has firmly rooted itself on Zimbabwean soil, driving rural livelihoods and environmental stewardship.
Embedding Juncao into education and rural industrialisation
Zimbabwe is embedding Juncao technology within its Education 5.0 framework, integrating it into institutional curricula at Gwebi Agricultural College, the University of Zimbabwe (UZ), and Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT). These institutions now function as national training hubs, preparing the next generation of farmers and specialists in climate-smart agricultural practices.
Moreover, the programme is expanding through Zimbabwe’s 35,000 Village Business Units (VBUs) and 4,800 Youth Business Units (YBUs), ensuring widespread rural industrialisation that supports the most vulnerable—including women’s cooperatives. This scaling promises to democratise technology access and empower marginalised groups, in line with Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) goals for inclusive economic growth and poverty reduction.
International partnerships and farmer empowerment
The National Capacity Building Workshop, co-organised by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the National Engineering Research Center for Juncao Technology at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU), has trained over 400 Zimbabwean farmers and agricultural specialists. These collaborative efforts foster knowledge transfer and build domestic capacity to manage and optimise Juncao’s benefits sustainably.
Prof Jiri stressed that Zimbabwe’s adoption of Juncao represents more than just a new crop—it embodies a commitment to innovation that ensures agriculture remains profitable, viable, and resilient in the face of climate change. “We are ensuring agriculture is a business at every level, everywhere, and every day,” he affirmed.
Zimbabwe’s pathway to climate-smart agricultural resilience
By mainstreaming Juncao technology, Zimbabwe is pioneering a model of agriculture that simultaneously advances climate resilience, food security, and rural industrialisation. The grass’s adaptability to drought-prone areas and its multifunctional role in livestock feed and mushroom substrate highlight its potential as a sustainable solution to key agricultural challenges.
This initiative also contributes directly to Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 ambition and the AFSRTS 2 targets. It offers a powerful tool for youth and women empowerment through agri-business opportunities, knowledge dissemination, and enhanced value chains.
FFA Explainer:
Juncao technology involves cultivating a fast-growing, high-protein grass that serves as a sustainable substrate for mushroom farming and a drought-resistant feed for livestock. It promotes climate resilience by reducing dependency on timber and providing high-quality fodder in dry regions.
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