Rwandan couple pursue further studies of Juncao technology in China's Fujian

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Professor Lin Zhanxi (2nd R) introduces products made of Juncao fiber to Hatungimana Mediatrice (2nd L) and other foreign students at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 28, 2024.

Juncao is a hybrid grass and an important multifunctional agricultural resource developed and used for mushroom farming in China. Invented by Lin Zhanxi from China's Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) in the 1980s, Juncao has benefited more than 100 countries, including Rwanda, allowing smallholder farmers to grow mushrooms from dried, chopped grass without cutting down trees and damaging the environment.

Hatungimana Mediatrice, a coordinator for the Juncao project in Rwanda, came to FAFU in 2017 to pursue a master's degree in microbiology in biology. The following year, her husband Nsanzinshuti Aimable joined her to study and live in Fujian. Under the tutelage of Professor Lin Zhanxi, both Mediatrice and Aimable have successfully obtained their master's degrees. In order to have a deeper understanding of Juncao technology, the Rwandan couple chose to stay at FAFU for doctorates.

"The Juncao technology is beneficial to developing countries, especially to rural areas that need development," said Aimable. "My wife and I will return home after completing our studies in China and bring back the Juncao technology to our hometown to help people of our country. I believe they will have a better life by using Juncao technology." (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)