Timor-Leste Delegation Visits China.
Backed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China (MARA) and the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), a study mission focused on Juncao technology, composed of representatives from Timor-Leste's Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the National University of Timor-Leste, and the WFP Timor-Leste Country Office, travelled to China from September 3 to 8, 2023.
During their visit in Beijing, the delegation discussed with the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) about the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund; and exchanged views with the WFP China Office on government partnerships.
Their tour also included Southeast China’s Fujian Province, where the delegation talked about technical exchanges on the application and promotion of Juncao technology with the China National Engineering Research Centre of Juncao Technology of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (China National Juncao Research Center); visited the Jinfu Sheep Breeding Base who uses Juncao as an important source of feed, the demonstration base of edible mushroom on Juncao substrate that span across several villages, the Juncao Science and Technology Backyard, the factory to produce packs of Juncao substrate mixed with edible mushroom spores, its site that cultivates various edible mushrooms with Juncao substrate, its production line and assembly line, and the Juncao forage processing base in Shunchang County; visited the Gutian Mushroom Wholesale Market, the Gutian Mushroom Museum, and the Shengnong Biotechnology Co., Ltd in Gutian County; and the Changjiangao Juncao Sand Control Base in Pingtan County. Representatives from the Department of International Cooperation of MARA also participated in the study tour.
Timor-Leste Delegation discusses with experts from the China National Engineering Research Centre of Juncao Technology of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (China National Juncao Research Center).
Lin Dongmei, deputy director of the China National Juncao Research Center, introduced in detail the development, application, and promotion of Juncao technology. The center’s Juncao technology experts team also had an in-depth discussion with the delegation on topics like the use of Juncao technology in different countries, its technical training and promotion, supporting facilities for cultivating edible mushrooms with Juncao substrate and its process, common problems encountered by smallholder farmers in Juncao cultivation, and the nutritive value of Juncao.
The delegation visits Shunchang, Gutian and Pingtan counties.
In Shunchang, the delegation studied all phases of Juncao production, including planting, harvesting, and processing; learned about the production technology, environmental conditions, and facilities for cultivating different kinds of edible mushrooms, such as seafood mushroom, antler mushroom, and bamboo fungus; examined different patterns of developing the mushroom industry such as smallholder farmers, farmers’ cooperatives, and the one that involves both company and farmers. They also realized the importance of the Juncao Science and Technology Backyard in supporting the development of the mushroom industry.
In Gutian, the delegation learned about the development of the edible mushroom industry chain and its market transactions; and studied the history and culture of its edible mushroom industry.
In Pingtan, they learned applications of Juncao technology in windbreak and sand control efforts.
The delegation communicates with the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA).
Cui Zhifei, director of the International Cooperation Department of CIDCA, mainly introduced their work in international cooperation, as well as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund. The delegation was happy to witness comprehensive applications of Juncao technology, especially the practice of cultivating edible mushrooms with Juncao in Fujian. They also expressed that the WFP Timor-Leste Country Office and the Timor-Leste Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries are willing to work together to promote the further application of Juncao technology in their home country.
