STORY: Juncao technology draws big attention at Rwanda's agricultural show
DATELINE: July 30, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:02
LOCATION: Kigali
CATEGORY: AGRICULTURE
 
SHOTLIST:
1. various of the agriculture expo
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): ETIENNE SHEMA, Visitor
3. various of the agriculture expo
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MEDIATRICE HATUNGIMANA, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) official
 
STORYLINE:
 
Mushroom soup is common on the menu of many restaurants in Rwanda. And so it is perhaps of little surprise that as the Rwanda agriculture show wound up this week at Mulindi showground in Kigali, Rwanda's capital, Chinese-invented Juncao technology for mushroom growing drew a lot of attention from visitors.
   
The exhibition, an annual event that ran until July 29 under the theme "Transforming Agriculture into a Resilient and Competitive Sector through Technology, Innovation and Investment," was organized by the Rwandan Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources, with the attendance of about 400 exhibitors from Rwanda and beyond.   
   
Two mushroom varieties, including the edible and medicinal ones, were exhibited by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) using Juncao technology for production.
   
SOUNDBITE 1 (Kinyarwanda): ETIENNE SHEMA, Visitor
"I was filled with curiosity when I encountered these fascinating mushrooms. While I was familiar with the traditional variety that grows naturally, my interest was piqued when I discovered the potential for this to become a business venture. As I delved deeper, I came to the realization that cultivating mushrooms could be the perfect solution for me meeting both my personal preferences and fulfilling my needs. When the right opportunities arise, I can wholeheartedly pursue mushrooms as my full-time profession."
   
SOUNDBITE 2 (English): MEDIATRICE HATUNGIMANA, Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) official
"We are showing how this technology is implemented in Rwanda. Many people are coming to see this technology of Juncao, as you see many people are here asking many questions about this variety and this variety, and so on. They are very interested and able to cultivate this mushroom, but they are very interested because if we explain to them the importance of this, they are very excited and ask us how they can start to cultivate this variety. This technology was brought from China."
 
Juncao technology has gained popularity in Rwanda over the past years. The technology involves mixing various low-cost materials such as Juncao powder, lime powder, rice or cotton husks and water and is applicable in a small space, offering a good opportunity for many households wishing to grow mushrooms.
   
Juncao, which literally means "mushroom" and "grass," can be used, as its name suggests, to grow edible mushrooms, as livestock feed or as a green barrier to stop desertification. Growing mushrooms with the technology can help increase income through low-cost mushroom cultivation and can provide a new source of cattle feeds, according to officials.
 
Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Kigali.
(XHTV)