In the face of intensifying droughts and growing food insec urity, Zimbabwe may have found an unlikely hero grass. Not just any grass, but Juncao technology, a fast-growing, high-protein innovation now being hailed as the “magic grass” capable of transforming the country’s agricultural future.
The government has officially moved to mainstream Juncao technology, transitioning it from a pilot initiative into a national programme under the Agriculture Food Systems and Rural Transformation Strategy 2 (AFSRTS 2: 2026–2030).
The move is said to signal a major step toward building climate resilience while boosting productivity across livestock, mushroom farming, and value-addition sectors.
Speaking at the National Capacity Building Workshop in Harare on March 23, Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Dr. Obert Jiri, represented by Chief Director Dr. Dumisani Kutywayo, described the technology as transformative.
“Agriculture is the bedrock of our economic growth. No nation has successfully transitioned to middle-income status without a fundamental transformation of its agricultural productivity,” Prof Jiri said.
Originally pioneered in China, Juncao hhas a multi-purpose climate solution. It provides a sustainable substrate for mushroom production, eliminating the need for timber while enabling year-round cultivation.
Zimbabwe currently produces 855 metric tonnes of mushrooms, a figure expected to rise significantly with wider adoption. However, its biggest promise lies in livestock farming.
As Zimbabwe pushes to grow its cattle herd from 5.7 million to 6.6 million and increase milk production by 75 percent, Juncao offers a reliable, drought-resistant feed source in the form of high-quality silage.
This is especially crucial as nearly 60 percent of the country falls within the arid Natural Regions 4 and 5.
The Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe, His Excellency Zhou Ding, highlighted the rapid expansion of the initiative.
“Today, Juncao has taken deep roots on Zimbabwean soil, growing into a ‘grass of prosperity’ for local farmers,” Ambassador Zhou said.
In just one year, the project has spread to nine provinces, establishing 69 demonstration sites and distributing more than 50,000 seedlings.
Farmers across five provinces are already benefiting, with model households showcasing its potential.Beyond farms, the “magic grass” is also entering classrooms. Under Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 model, institutions like Gwebi Agricultural College, the University of Zimbabwe, and Chinhoyi University of Technology are now training farmers and students alike.
The technology will also reach grassroots levels through 35,000 Village Business Units (VBUs) and 4,800 Youth Business Units (YBUs), targeting rural communities, particularly women and youth.
The workshop, co-organised by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA) and the National Engineering Research Center for Juncao Technology has already trained over 400 local farmers and specialists.
For Zimbabwe, Juncao is no longer just an experiment, it is fast becoming a symbol of innovation, resilience, and possibility.
“We are not just adopting a new crop; we are ensuring that agriculture remains a viable, profitable business at every level, everywhere, and everyday,” Prof. Jiri concluded.
