Walter Nyamukondiwa
Mashonaland West Bureau Chief
CHINHOYI University of Technology and the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in scientific research and a student exchange programme in Juncao grass technology.
The MoU was signed between the China National Engineering Research Centre of Juncao Technology of FAFU at CUT on Wednesday.
Juncao technology is a fast-growing grass used as fodder, raw material for feed pellet production, substrate for mushroom production, reclamation and prevention of desertification.
It is expected to play a critical role in ameliorating the impact of climate change, as the grass has proved to be resilient in dry conditions.
Already, the technology has been adopted in nine of the country’s provinces, with more effort being channelled towards building capacity in communities.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, China National Engineering Research Centre of Juncao Technology vice chairperson Professor Lin Dongmei said the MoU would strengthen cooperation in scientific research.
“We have signed an MoU with Chinhoyi University of Technology, which is aimed at strengthening cooperation in scientific research, student exchange and of course development,” said Prof Dongmei.
“Juncao Technology has been readily applied in nine provinces of Zimbabwe in the field of mushroom production, livestock feeding and environmental protection.”
She said the university would work with the Government through the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife to strengthen environmental protection using the technology.
CUT acting vice chancellor Professor William Ruwondo welcomed the MoU, saying it helped foster knowledge sharing.
“This is a welcome development, and we hope cooperation will spread to other projects. I know that this cooperation will open up opportunities for other areas,” said Prof Ruwondo.
“We look forward to doing further research together with our partners in the Juncao technology and hopefully take to every part of the country and other institutions.”
Stakeholders later held a capacity building workshop that brought together farmers, technical experts from Juncao centre at Gwebi College, members from the division for Sustainable Development Goals under the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA).
It also included members of academia from both CUT and FAFU of China.
Participants later toured the CUT Juncao Commercial Fields, where 5ha have been put under the Juncao grass and value addition project, including an animal feed production unit.
The fibre from the Juncao grass is now being used in the textile sector for the production of clothing materials.
Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Marian Chombo said the Juncao Technology fits into the Government’s comprehensive roadmap towards an empowered upper-middle-income society under Vision 2030.
“The foundation of the Juncao initiative lies in the Government’s comprehensive roadmap: Agriculture, Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2: 2026-2030,” she said.
“A strategy launched under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Dr ED Mnangagwa, the stewardship of our Minister, Dr Anxious Masuka, to set our course towards a prosperous and empowered upper-middle income society by 2030.”
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