By Nigeria Today
The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, DR. Mohammed Mahmood Abubakar has said that Juncao Technology, a Chinese innovative tool will stimulate more interest that can escalate the production of mushrooms to meet local demand and for export in Nigeria. He stated that the federal government was ready and willing to partner with the Chinese government on Juncao technology towards attaining food security in the country.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of a workshop organized by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals of DESA in collaboration with the National Engineering Research Centre for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) of China, the Agriculture minister expressed delight over the collaborative efforts between China and Nigeria, noting that it was coming at a time when the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development was responding to the directive of President Buhari to refocusing efforts and strategies to address gaps in the management of national resources as the country moves away from its dependence on crude oil.
He also informed that Agric Ministry was refocusing efforts and strategies to address extant gaps in the management of natural resources as they relate to feed and fodder security, environmental management and food sovereignty, and their inalienable nexus to improved livelihood and human development.
Continuing, he said the innovative technology had potential promise to boost the efforts of the Federal Government of Nigeria in her drive to make the best use of huge agricultural resources, and other natural resources towards sustainable livelihood as enshrined in the Sustainable Development goals charter.
The Minister who was represented by Engr Abdullahi Abubakar also observed that climate change was one of the major causes of food insecurity around the world stating that the introduction of the JUNCAO technology of China to Nigeria was the right technology in combating it.
“Food may become more expensive as climate change mitigation efforts increase energy prices, increase competition for land as it makes land climatically unsuitable for farming, it also leads to scarcity of water needed for farming.
China Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. CUI Jianchun said Juncao Technology has been proven to be effective with many countries embracing it, noting that it will guarantee the much-needed food technology based on the fact that it will provide a bumpy harvest for farmers and provide feeds for agro-based industries.
In Nigeria, he said the technology has been introduced in states like Nassarawa, Benue, Plateau, Anambra, Adamawa, Rivers, and Bauchi.
Also speaking during the ceremony the ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Nigeria, H. E Cui Jianchun, revealed that the JUNCAO technology was first developed in the 1980s in China to help arid and desert areas to achieve sustainability and to be able to grow crops.
The technology he said has aided in environmental protection and mitigating the effects of climate change. According to the Chinese Ambassador, domesticating the JUNCAO technology in Nigeria will help, “create jobs, enhance food security, curb youth restlessness and improve overall security”.
He noted that one of the primary goals of his tour of duty in Nigeria is to ensure that a demonstration Centre is built in Abuja for JUNCAO Technology to ensure that the country reaps the full benefits of the technology, towards ensuring food security, job creation, reducing farmers herder clashes among other benefits for the country.
The Project’s main goal is to improve the social and economic security of the poor, the youth, women, conflicting farmers, and herders in Nigeria. Empower local herders, farmers, youth, and women with productive skills of Juncao technology for economic independence and allow for collaboration between community stakeholders and government agencies in security management. To also Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on experience and resourcing strategies for partnerships. To recognize the important role that South-South and triangular cooperation play in fostering partnerships in Nigeria, West, and Sub-Saharan Africa that lead to the end of poverty and hunger and to the achievement of food security and improved nutrition, as well as the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
Background of Juncao
Small-scale farmers in developing countries encounter constant challenges with respect to growing agricultural produce, putting them at risk of not being able to obtain enough harvests to support their families livelihoods. The lack of sufficient arable land to grow traditional agricultural produce, including in mountainous areas, compounds the perennial problem of poverty in many developing countries.
In September 2015, Heads of State and Government who met for the Summit on Sustainable Development at the General Assembly adopted the outcome document often referred to as the 2030 Agenda where the Member States recommitted themselves to promote sustainable agriculture to ensure sustainable development to lift millions out of poverty.
In the meantime, the National Engineering Research Centre for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) of China had developed Juncao technology (jun meaning fungi, cao meaning grass), which allowed farmers in developing countries to grow several types of nutritious mushrooms from dried, chopped grasses, without cutting down trees and damaging the environment. Such an environmental-friendly technology can help small-scale farmers and farming communities to develop a low-cost, commercial-scale mushroom cultivation industry that can provide a sustainable livelihood for thousands. In addition, the technology can also be used for producing cattle feed, and methane gas and also minimize soil erosion to combat desertification. In the long run, depending on local demands and the scale of production, it may also provide opportunities for exporting the mushrooms cultivated using the technology.
Background of the Juncao Intervention in Nigeria
Since 2010 September, the national Juncao experts started the pilot project of implementing the Juncao technology and its application in Nigeria by way of conducting workshops, seminars, creating awareness, courtesy visit to various government officials, traditional leaders, and local farmers/harder’s, youth/women leaders, and other stakeholders also conducting training in some places.
Strategic partners such as the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) will also be engaged and recognize the important role that South-South and triangular cooperation play in fostering partnerships in Nigeria, West, and Sub-Saharan Africa that lead to the end of poverty and hunger and the achievement of food security and improved nutrition, as well as the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
Other Dignitaries who graced the occasion include Amson Sibanda, chief, of national strategies and capacity building branch division of the United Nations sustainable development goals, Matthia Schmale, UN Resident Coordinator, in Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akonundi, National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM, Nigeria. Dr. Lawandi Ibrahim Datti, Director/Research Expert, Nigeria-China Juncao Technology Center, Nigeria, Senator Abba Ali, and a host of others
The two days workshop was organized by the Division for Sustainable Development Goals of DESA in collaboration with the National Engineering Research Centre for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) of China, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
