Active Development AidData Chinese Aid

Chinese Government provides grant for Phase 2 of Juncao Mushroom Technical Cooperation Project (Linked to Record ID #s #49135 and #108614)

Funder	China Ministry of Commerce
Recipient Organization	Fiji's Ministry of Agriculture
Country	Fiji
Start Date	Jan 01, 2017
End Date	Dec 28, 2026
Duration	3,648 days
Number of Grantees	1
Roles	Recipient
Data Source	AidData Chinese Aid
Grant ID	`65032`

Grant Description

In December 2017, the Juncao Mushroom Technical Cooperation Project entered into its second phase. Through this phase, experts provided technical demonstration, training, and promotion to farmers in Fiji. More than 900 Fijian farmers will attend the training courses. This phase was also funded by the Chinese Government, though the grant commitment (transaction) amount unknown.

The project was meant to kickstart mushroom production in Fiji and supply feed to livestock husbandry in the dry season. It was expected to assist Fiji in developing the Juncao industry and raise Fijian farmers' income.

As of the end of 2018, more than 20,000 substrate tubes and 200,000 roots of Juncao grass had been distributed to Fijian farmers.

The project also created a production line for mushrooms at the demonstration arm – from seedlings to packaging and storage – with an annual production capacity of 300 tons of fresh mushrooms.

As of June 2022, 1,704 Fijians had been trained as mushroom farmers and technicians, including women, disabled persons, and people who lost their jobs as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The third phase of the project officially commenced on January 1, 2023.

📋 Staff Comments

This project is also known as the Second Phase of the Juncao Technological Demonstration Program or Second Phase of the Juncao Mushroom Technology Demonstration Center Project. The Chinese project title is 中国援助斐济菌草技术合作项目. The first phase of the project, funded by an RMB 8.2 million grant from the Chinese Government, involved the construction of a demonstration farm at Legalega Research Station, trainings, and the provision of materials (See Project ID#49135)The project was marked as completed on January 1, 2023, based on the official launch of Phase 3 of the Juncao Technology Demonstration Center (see linked project ID# 108614). No evidence was found of overlap between Phases 2 and 3.

📚 Sources & References

斐济总理姆拜尼马拉马参观我援助斐济菌草技术示范中心展台并对项目推广效果表示赞赏
Fiji-China Links Continue to Grow
Remarks by H.E. Mr. Qian Bo
Ambassador of China to Fiji at the Opening Ceremony of Rural Development Symposium
外交部副部长郑泽光访问斐济
Feature: Chinese-aided Juncao technology brings better livelihood to Fijians
Magic mushrooms are back
China's Papa Juncao Brings Mushrooms
New Livelihood to Fiji
Juncao Spreads Its Magic in Fiji
China's Juncao technology helps Fijians improve livelihood
技术引领，构建人类命运共同体——菌草技术援外实践
Xiconomics in Practice: Xi-endorsed Juncao technology improves livelihoods across globe, embodies China’s commitment for greater good of humanity Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.