Small and Beautiful | Helping "grass of happiness" take root and flourish across Africa

Juncao ("Jun" means "mushroom" and "cao" means "grass" in Chinese), a technology that fosters mushroom growth by "substituting grass for wood," was developed by Prof Lin Zhanxi, Chief Scientist of National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU, in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian province), in 1986.

Juncao technology contributes economic, social and environmental benefits, and it helps improve ecology and food and energy security. It yields quick results at a low cost. The technology was first used in Fujian province, then in other regions of China and more recently in 108 other countries. Juncao has become a "Grass of Happiness" and "Grass of Prosperity" for people in developing countries.

Lin's daughter, Dr. Lin Dongmei, has traveled to Africa 38 times since 2004. She has adapted the "small and beautiful, quick-impact and people-centered" Juncao technology to the local conditions in the African countries. While adhering to a woman's perspective, she has taught African women various skills, such as methods to grow Juncao grass and mushrooms. She has helped African women escape poverty, and she has formed deep friendships with women across Africa. Lin Dongmei now serves as Vice Dean of International Juncao College, at FAFU, Deputy Director of the China National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology, and as a consultant for the United Nations Juncao Project. She was named a National March 8th Red-Banner Holder in 2024.

Click the video to hear the heartfelt voices of women benefiting from Juncao technology.

Archival video provided by National Engineering Research Center of Juncao Technology