Pic story: Rwandan couple pursue further studies of Juncao technology in China's Fujian

Professor Lin Zhanxi (2nd R) introduces products made of Juncao fiber to Hatungimana Mediatrice (2nd L) and other foreign students at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Juncao is a hybrid grass and an important multifunctional agricultural resource developed and used for mushroom farming in China. Invented by Lin Zhanxi from China's Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University (FAFU) in the 1980s, Juncao has benefited more than 100 countries, including Rwanda, allowing smallholder farmers to grow mushrooms from dried, chopped grass without cutting down trees and damaging the environment.

Hatungimana Mediatrice, a coordinator for the Juncao project in Rwanda, came to FAFU in 2017 to pursue a master's degree in microbiology in biology. The following year, her husband Nsanzinshuti Aimable joined her to study and live in Fujian. Under the tutelage of Professor Lin Zhanxi, both Mediatrice and Aimable have successfully obtained their master's degrees. In order to have a deeper understanding of Juncao technology, the Rwandan couple chose to stay at FAFU for doctorates.

"The Juncao technology is beneficial to developing countries, especially to rural areas that need development," said Aimable. "My wife and I will return home after completing our studies in China and bring back the Juncao technology to our hometown to help people of our country. I believe they will have a better life by using Juncao technology."

Nsanzinshuti Aimable and his wife Hatungimana Mediatrice check the growth of Juncao at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Professor Lin Zhanxi (1st L) introduces Juncao cultivation technology to Nsanzinshuti Aimable (2nd L) and other foreign students in the National Engineering Research Center for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Nov. 23, 2021. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Professor Lin Dongmei (R) introduces the growth of a Juncao species to Hatungimana Mediatrice (L) and Nsanzinshuti Aimable at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Hatungimana Mediatrice (R) communicates with Zhang Lili, a student of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Nsanzinshuti Aimable and his wife Hatungimana Mediatrice make an experiment at a lab in the National Engineering Research Center for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Nsanzinshuti Aimable and his wife Hatungimana Mediatrice enjoy leisure time at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Hatungimana Mediatrice (1st L) and other foreign students check the growth of mushrooms in the National Engineering Research Center for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, March 28, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Nsanzinshuti Aimable and his wife Hatungimana Mediatrice take a walk at the campus of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Nsanzinshuti Aimable prepares for an experiment at a lab in the National Engineering Research Center for Juncao Technology of the Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Nsanzinshuti Aimable (L) and his wife Hatungimana Mediatrice (C) talk with Hu Yingping, a researcher of the National Engineering Research Center for Juncao Technology, at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

An aerial photo taken on Aug. 30, 2024 shows a view of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)

Professor Lin Zhanxi (2nd R) introduces ganoderma lucidum cultivation technology with Juncao to Hatungimana Mediatrice (2nd L) and Nsanzinshuti Aimable (1st L) at Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University in Fuzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, Aug. 26, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Shanchuan)