Chinese Edible Mushroom Technology Will Help Africa Achieve Sustainable Development Goals
The Edible Mushroom Technology Application African Regional Seminar was held in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, on February 21. Participants from the United Nations and African countries such as Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Congo (Kinshasa) believed that China's edible mushroom technology will help African countries achieve their sustainable development goals. The edible mushroom technology from China "replaces wood with grass", which fundamentally solves the "contradiction of the fungus forest" that a large number of trees need to be cut down for edible fungi. edible mushroom has large plant size, high yield, and strong adaptability. In addition to being used as a mushroom culture medium, it can also be planted in large areas to prevent soil erosion, or used as feed, organic fertilizer, etc. Amson Sibanda, Director of the National Strategy and Capacity Building Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, said that edible mushroom technology can help achieve multiple sustainable development goals. Including eradicating poverty, reducing hunger, addressing climate change, promoting women's rights, etc., so this technology has become a priority project of the China-United Nations Peace and Development Fund. Ozonia Oyelo, UN Coordinator in Rwanda believes that edible mushroom technology has contributed to poverty reduction and climate change response in Rwanda. edible mushroom technology will help promote sustainable agricultural production in Africa and will contribute to Africa's achievement of sustainable development goals. Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun said that edible mushroom technology has been promoted to 106 countries and regions around the world, helping many farmers get rid of poverty and become rich. It is hoped that more people in African countries will be able to master this technology, so as to promote poverty reduction, increase employment and achieve peaceful development in Africa. Olivier Kamana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources of Rwanda, said that the Rwandan government believes that edible mushroom technology has potential and should be developed as a priority. This technology can help Rwanda achieve its sustainable development goals and has been adopted by many Rwandan farmers. It is understood that more than 35,000 farmers in Rwanda have received edible mushroom technology training, and more than 3,800 households and more than 50 companies and cooperatives are engaged in related businesses. The seminar lasts for 4 days. During the meeting, participants will visit several mushroom farms in Rwanda and the China-aided Rwanda Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center.