In 2014, with the joint efforts of the leaders of China and Fiji, the China-Fiji Juncao Technology Demonstration Center was established. Nine years later, the China-Pacific Island Countries Juncao Technology Demonstration Center (CPICJTDC) was unveiled in Fiji.
"The giant Juncao grass grows amazingly. It gets 5 to 8 centimeters taller per day in November," said Lin Xingsheng, team leader of the China-Fiji Juncao Technology Demonstration Center. "We have built a modern agricultural science and technology park covering an area of 3 hectares, integrating the 'plant-fungi-animal' cycle. In addition, there is also a breeding base of about 10 hectares for Juncao seeds," Lin added.
The Chinese technical personnel at the demonstration center actively explored and, based on the local climate and soil conditions, cultivated a variety of mushrooms using high-quality Juncao grass as nutrients, bringing tangible benefits to local farmers.
The establishment of the demonstration center has ended the history of Fiji's inability to grow mushrooms, making mushroom cultivation an emerging industry for prosperity, said Ateleni Kaloumaira Vuinakelo, area field officer from Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture and Waterways, who closely collaborated with Chinese experts in 2012 to introduce Juncao technology to Fiji.
Under the careful guidance of Chinese experts, the Fijian people gradually mastered the skills of cultivating over 10 varieties of edible mushrooms such as oyster mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum, and termite mushrooms, leading to a significant increase in income.