African visitors learn about mushroom farming at an agricultural exhibition in Fujian province. [Photo by Zheng Shuai/For china Daily]

At the Goroka Juncao & Dry-land Rice Technology Demonstration Base in Papua New Guinea's Eastern Highlands province, a unique type of grass called "Juncao" stands tall, almost 5 meters high, in the vast fields.

With the help of agricultural specialists from East China's Fujian province, locals are trying to grow rice and mushrooms out of the special wild grass, similar to some fungi grown from tree matter. The grass Juncao, also called "China Grass" by natives, can also be used to feed livestock.

When media reporters arrived at the base one morning in January, villagers were eagerly awaiting. Lin Yingxing, director of the base and a Chinese expert in Juncao and dryland rice technologies, who came to the airport of Goroka to fetch the reporters, got off the jeep promptly.

Addressing villagers in English, Lin said with a big smile: "Welcome, everyone! Today, I'm going to show you around and help you guys to get an idea on how to grow Juncao and rice on your own land."

After a quick greeting with the crowd, Lin soon started his lecture with the help of local young men who can speak English.

Standing in the strong sunlight and bathed in sweat, he attentively explained to the curious crowd on how to plant Juncao, how to smash the giant-sugarcane-like tall grass with a machine, and how to cultivate mushrooms using tubes filled with Juncao powder.

While listening to Lin's introduction, some villagers took notes carefully, some raised questions, and Lin was ready to explain. Occasionally, the crowd burst into laughter and applauded when amused by Lin's humorous answers.