Fujian's Juncao grass takes root in Xinjiang

A Fujian-supported project to cultivate Juncao grass for livestock feed has expanded across Hutubi county in Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, according to a report presented at the 21st International Symposium on Juncao Technology and Industry Development in Fujian province's Fuzhou.

The report was presented by the Longyan branch of Fujian's assistance program in Xinjiang at the symposium, which was attended by representatives from the United Nations and delegates from more than 30 countries and regions.

Hutubi has nearly 600,000 head of cattle and sheep but faces an annual shortage of about 300,000 metric tons of high-quality forage.

The project began in 2023, led by Lin Zhanxi, chief scientist at the National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology. Pilot planting started in Wugongtai town and was later expanded to several villages. Local farmer Ma Wenhua, one of the early adopters, increased his planting area from 30 mu (2 hectares) in the first year to 510 mu this year. He said giant Juncao grass produces 12 to 15 tons per mu — more than double the yield of silage corn — while requiring less fertilizer.

In 2024, a variety known as "Oasis No 1" survived the winter in Hutubi, a development that researchers said demonstrated the crop's suitability for cultivation in colder climates.