Exploring Juncao Technology: New Opportunities for Smallholder Farmers in Tonga

18 Dec Exploring Juncao Technology: New Opportunities for Smallholder Farmers in Tonga

From 13–27 June 2025, Ákanesi Tohi and Tigris Havea of MORDI Tonga Trust participated in the Juncao Technology Seminar in China, sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China. The training introduced Juncao grass, a versatile and sustainable technology with strong potential for Tonga’s smallholder farmers.

Juncao is a fast-growing, non-invasive grass used to cultivate edible mushrooms without cutting trees. It also provides high-protein livestock feed, helps control soil erosion, and supports the rehabilitation of degraded land—making it well suited to island environments facing climate and land pressures.

Through lectures, field demonstrations, and site visits across Fujian and Hainan provinces, participants saw how farmers use Juncao to diversify incomes, reduce farming costs, and strengthen food security. Mushroom production, in particular, stood out as a low-cost enterprise that can be managed on small plots of land and generate income year-round.

For smallholder farmers in Tonga, Juncao offers several practical benefits:

• New income opportunities through mushroom production
• Lower livestock feed costs using locally grown fodder
• Greater climate resilience, especially during dry periods
• Improved soil health and reduced land degradation

The training aligns closely with MORDI Tonga Trust’s work to support community-led, climate-resilient livelihoods. Knowledge gained through the seminar will help inform future pilot activities and farmer training, ensuring the technology is adapted to local conditions and shared through extension services.

As Tonga looks for sustainable solutions to strengthen rural livelihoods and food systems, Juncao technology presents a promising option—one that combines innovation, environmental care, and practical benefits for smallholder farmers.