Introduction
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) was established in October 1993, through the reorganization of its predecessor, the Tropical Agriculture Research Center (TARC). It was again restructured in April 2001 as an Incorporated Administrative Agency, and in April 2015 as a National Research and Development Agency (NRDA) under the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF).
Main Objectives
- To undertake comprehensive experimental research for technological advancement of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and related industries in tropical/subtropical zones and developing regions;
- To collect, analyze, and publish information of domestic and international researches which are relevant to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries;
- To invest in and provide manpower and technical support to businesses that utilize the results of experimental research;
- Through the above, to contribute solutions to global food and environmental problems as well as to the stable supply of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products and resources.
Research Programs
- The 5th Medium to Long-term Plan
- Development of agricultural technologies for climate change, resource recycling and environmental conservation
- Technology development towards building a new food system with improved productivity, sustainability and resilience
- Strengthening function as an international hub for providing strategic information on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and mobilizing new research partnerships
- The 4th Medium to Long-term Plan
- Development of agricultural technologies for sustainable management of the environment and natural resources in developing regions
- Technology development for stable production of agricultural products in the tropics and other adverse environments
- Development of high value-adding technologies and utilization of local resources in developing regions
- Collection, analysis and dissemination of information for grasping trends of international agriculture, forestry and fisheries
- The 3rd Medium Term Plan
- Environment and Natural Resource Management: Development of agricultural technologies based on sustainable management of environment and natural resources in developing regions
- Stable Food Production: Technology development for increased productivity and stable production of agricultural products in the tropics and other unstable environments
- Rural Livelihood Improvement: Technology development for income and livelihood improvement of the rural population in developing regions
- Information Analysis: Collection, analysis and dissemination of information for grasping trends of international agriculture, forestry and fisheries
Main Activities
1. Promotion of international joint research through the dispatch and invitation of researchers.
2. Collection, analysis and dissemination of information for grasping trends of international agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
3. Organize international symposiums and workshops.
4. International collaboration and exchange on science and technology with governments and other organizations.
2. Collection, analysis and dissemination of information for grasping trends of international agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
3. Organize international symposiums and workshops.
4. International collaboration and exchange on science and technology with governments and other organizations.
History
- 1970 Establishment of the Tropical Agriculture Research Center (TARC) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
- 1977 TARC Headquarters was transferred from Tokyo to Tsukuba, Ibaraki
- 1993 Reorganization of TARC into Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)
- 2001 Restructured as Incorporated Administrative Agency (IAA)
- 2015 Restructured as National Research and Development Agency (NRDA)
- 2016 Start of the 4th Medium to Long-term Plan
- 2020 JIRCAS 50th Founding Anniversary
- 2021 Start of the 5th Medium to Long-term Plan