China-aided Juncao and upland rice project launched in Goroka

A new China-aided agricultural project base has officially opened in Eastern Highlands Province, aiming to boost food security and strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

The Juncao and Upland Rice Technology Base, located at Waterise just outside Goroka, will serve as a demonstration hub for mushroom cultivation and upland rice production. The facility will provide training and resources to local farmers, while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

The base was inaugurated Monday by Professor Lin Zhanxi, inventor of Juncao technology and chief scientist at China’s National Research Centre. Lin hailed the project as a milestone in China–PNG relations.

“The Juncao and Upland Rice initiative in PNG is a pioneering endeavor that has grown under the sustained guidance and support of President Xi Jinping and the PNG government,” Lin said.

He recalled that the first Juncao project was introduced to Eastern Highlands in 1997, when Xi was governor of China’s Fujian Province. Xi’s 2018 state visit to Papua New Guinea further expanded the program.

According to Lin, the new facility is designed to support seed propagation, technical training, and production demonstrations. It aims to create a circular farming system integrating plants, animals, and mushrooms, maximizing use of light, heat, and water while strengthening food and energy security.

Eastern Highlands Governor Simon Sia welcomed the initiative, thanking both the Chinese and PNG governments. He said the project would generate income opportunities for rural farmers and improve community livelihoods.

The Juncao technology, which uses grass instead of wood to cultivate mushrooms, has been promoted by China in several developing countries as a low-cost, sustainable farming method.