Dr. Marco Wopereis, director general of the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg), visited JIRCAS on January 31, 2018 during his official trip to Japan. WorldVeg, in its mission statement, describes itself as “an international nonprofit research and development institute committed to alleviating poverty and malnutrition in the developing world through the increased production and consumption of nutritious and health-promoting vegetables.”

Dr. Wopereis discussed WorldVeg’s recent research activities with JIRCAS Vice-President Osamu Koyama and Director Kunihiro Doi of the Research Strategy Office. The discussion focused on several topics, including recent advances in nutrition research, and both sides agreed to continue to consult each other and exchange information on research-related matters.

Dr. Wopereis also visited the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Japan Seed Trade Association (JASTA), and he gave seminars on strengthening collaboration between relevant agencies and exchanging information on vegetable research.