Chinese “miracle” grass Juncao praised by UNGA

United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) President Maria Fernanda Espinosa Garces on Thursday praised the support of China’s technology of Juncao, famed as a “miracle” grass, for the achievement for UN sustainable goals.

“I am pleased to learn that the Juncao technology is emblematic of the China’s Belt and Road Initiative,” Espinosa said in her opening remarks at a high-level meeting on Juncao technology.

The technology is making an important contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals set in the 2030 Agenda, from poverty eradication to clean energy, gender equality to preserving biodiversity, she said.

Juncao, meaning “the herbal plant for growing edible mushrooms” in Chinese, has worked miracles for Chinese scientists who are cultivating it as a substrate for growing edible and medicinal mushroom or forage for livestock, as well as using it as green barrier to stop sand dunes from moving.

Espinosa said in small island developing states, Juncao is improving resilience to climate change, and that it is helping to fight land degradation by producing cattle feed and minimizing soil erosion.

She also noted the technology is making a difference where it matters most at the local and community level to the lives of farmers, women children and persons with disabilities.

Thursday’s one-day event, entitled High-Level Meeting of Juncao Technology: Concrete Contribution of the Belt and Road Initiative towards Synergies with the 2030 Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, is being co-organized by the Chinese government and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.