Just as soil (土壤) provides energy for trees, a substrate (基质) works the same way for mushrooms. Farmers usually use trees to make the substrate, which hurts the environment. But now, thanks to China’s “Juncao” (菌草) technology, fewer trees are cut down to do this.
Juncao is a grass that can grow up to 8 meters tall. To grow the mushrooms, people first collect the grass and make it into powder (粉末). Then, they mix the powder with water and other things to make the substrate. It helps mushrooms grow quickly. Later on, people can eat the mushrooms or sell them.
This “magical” grass has become a popular plant in Africa. After being brought there, Juncao has helped many people live a better life. For example, in Rwanda, thousands of families are planting Juncao for a living. Thanks to it, many of these families are making much more money than before.
Besides helping grow mushrooms, Juncao has many other things to offer. It can be turned into hard board strong enough to make buildings. It is also good food for animals, like cows and sheep. What’s more, Juncao can help solve environmental problems. Its deep roots (根) help make the soil stronger. When it rains, there is less chance of the soil being washed away.