(Hello Africa) How spark of Chinese Juncao ignites "open-source" transformation for Tanzanian youth

Joel Bisoma, a 29-year-old Tanzanian, established a company after discovering the potential of Juncao -- a Chinese-developed technology that uses specially cultivated grass to grow edible and medicinal mushrooms.

DAR ES SALAAM, June 18 (Xinhua) -- In a quiet suburb north of Tanzania's Dar es Salaam, morning mist hovers low over a plot of land where rows of green Juncao grass glisten with dew.

Joel Bisoma, a 29-year-old Tanzanian, steps carefully between the rows, inspecting the growth of what he has sown. A few meters away, under a shaded structure, dozens of mushroom bags hang in silence, nurturing what he calls "nature's quiet medicine."

Bisoma is the founder of GreenFungi Limited, a company he established after discovering the potential of Juncao -- a Chinese-developed technology that uses specially cultivated grass to grow edible and medicinal mushrooms.

In a country where sustainable agriculture is more of a necessity than a choice, Juncao offers something rare: a low-cost, high-yield system that is both environmentally friendly and locally manageable, said Bisoma.

He was first introduced to the idea in 2022 during a training session organized by Sokoine University of Agriculture.

Back then, he was still growing mushrooms using sawdust. The commonly used but risky substrate requires constant supplementation and is prone to contamination, especially when the sawdust comes from chemically treated wood.

"In the beginning, I didn't believe grass could work better than sawdust," he said, gently pulling at a blade of Juncao. "But I gave it a try."

Everything changed in 2023 when he traveled to China for a 45-day training course at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, where he saw full-scale Juncao farms, learned from researchers, and connected with farmers from other developing countries.

The trip, supported by the Chinese government, was more than technical, but it changed his perspective.

"What impressed me most was how practical the Chinese approach is," he said. "They don't just teach science. They teach systems that people like me can actually use."

Upon his return to Tanzania, Bisoma stopped using sawdust altogether but turned to Juncao grass and built a small mushroom facility in Bunju B, on the edge of the city.

The mushrooms he cultivates are now valued for their medicinal properties. Once dried and ground into powder, they are used to make teas and capsules that help boost immunity, lower cholesterol, regulate blood sugar, and aid digestion.

Demand for his products has steadily increased, as customers find him online or learn about his harvest through word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and health practitioners. "The training in China showed me that quality is the most important thing," he said. "That's how you build trust."

Rather than keeping the knowledge to himself, Bisoma has now begun offering free training to farmers across the country.

Some travel from distant regions like Arusha and Dodoma to grasp the technology. Most are young or first-time farmers, with many being women. Bisoma guides them through the entire process -- from preparing the substrate and managing humidity to preventing contamination and packaging the final product.

"I want to make this open-source," he said. "We don't need to compete. We need to grow together."

Dozens of his trainees have started small mushroom farms of their own. Some sell to local markets, others to herbal shops. A few have even started exporting on a small scale.

Bisoma envisions a future where GreenFungi is no longer just a company, but a cooperative with hundreds of members sharing resources and knowledge.

He plans to expand into more mushroom varieties and develop simple home-growing kits. Collaboration is also underway with a local clinic to explore how products of Lingzhi, or Ganoderma lucidum, can be integrated into wellness programs.

As he walks across the field, a new section comes into view, soon to be planted with more Juncao. In his hand rests a small, neatly labeled bag of mushroom powder, ready for market. Bisoma pauses, smiles, and nods while passing by a group of young talents taking notes.

"This is just the beginning," he said. "The grass is growing. The people are learning. And the future -- it's coming." ■