JIRCAS Report 2019

TARF Director and Researchers Receive Awards from the Japanese Society for Tropical Agriculture

Dr. OMAE Hide (TARF Director) received the “Award for Academic Excellence in Tropical Agriculture” from the Japanese Society for Tropical Agriculture (JSTA) on March 17, 2020. In addition, Dr. MATSUDA Hiroshi (Researcher) and Dr. TAKARAGAWA Hiroo (Postdoctoral Researcher) were also conferred with the “Promotional Award for Achievement in Tropical Agriculture”.

Application Procedure for Fixed-term Researcher (Nurturing Young Researcher Category)

The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) is now accepting applications for fixed-term employment of young researchers.

Publication of the JIRCAS Research Highlights for FY2019

Among the research results obtained through experiments and research activities in each fiscal year, we select and publish those that are particularly noteworthy among results that can be used as production technology in the field etc., results of academically advanced and effective new methods, new knowledge etc. and results that are extremely effective or helpful for improving administrative measures. The major research results for dissemination in FY2019 are (1) SSR marker technology package for variety identification of white Guinea Yam, and (2) Liquefaction of Thai fermented rice noodles can be prevented by maintaining the product in acidic condition of pH around 4.

JIRCAS Concludes Collaborative Research Agreement with Bolivia’s UMSA and PROINPA

The joint research between JIRCAS and Bolivia’s Higher University of San Andres (UMSA) and PROINPA was concluded with the signing of a Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) held at the UMSA Headquarters in La Paz, Bolivia on March 9, 2020.

Certificate of Appreciation from the Director of Burkina Faso’s National Institute of Science and Technology

The Director of Burkina Faso’s National Institute of Science and Technology (CNSRT) presented a certificate of appreciation to Dr. NAGUMO Fujio, Director of Crop, Livestock and Environment Division, in recognition of the joint research projects of JIRCAS that contribute to research in science and technology and human resource development in the country.

JIRCAS Participates in Ceremony for the Water and Soil Conservation Project in Tigray, Ethiopia

TAKENAKA Koichi (Senior Researcher, Rural Development Division) and Dr. NISHIGAKI Tomohiro (Researcher, Crop, Livestock and Environment Division) of JIRCAS were invited at a ceremony held on February 21, 2020 to promote the water and soil conservation project in Tsada Naele community, Kilte Awlaelo district, Tigray regional state, Ethiopia.

President Iwanaga Participates in the First Meeting of the FAO Director-General's Advisory Group

JIRCAS President Dr. Iwanaga was appointed as member of the FAO Director-General's Advisory Group and participated in the first meeting held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy on February 25-26, 2020. Pres. Iwanaga provided advice and recommendations to FAO based on JIRCAS research activities in developing regions, and the technologies and experience of the agriculture, forestry and fisheries industry in Japan.

JIRCAS Participates in G20 MACS Saudi Arabia

The 9th G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (G20 MACS) was held in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia on the 18th and 19th of February 2020. JIRCAS President, Dr. IWANAGA Masa, who served as chair of the 8th G20 MACS held in Tokyo last year, participated in the meeting with representatives from the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council Secretariat of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

JENESYS 2019 ASEAN Delegation Visits JIRCAS

The Vietnamese delegation to JENESYS 2019 including 14 executive officers from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) visited JIRCAS on February 20, 2020 for the purpose of exchanging opinions on sustainable management of agricultural lands. 

Students from Shiba Junior High School Visit JIRCAS

Two second-year students from Shiba Junior High School (Minato-ku, Tokyo) interested in learning about research activities addressing Africa’s food problems visited JIRCAS on February 14, 2020.

Students of Nihon University Visit JIRCAS

A group of 14 second-year students from the Department of International Development Studies, College of Bioresource Sciences, Nihon University visited JIRCAS on February 13, 2020 as part of the spring training to broaden their understanding of international research on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and to help them determine the themes of seminars for the next academic year.

JIRCAS 50th Founding Anniversary Logo

The year 2020 marks the 50th year since the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) was first established as the Tropical Agriculture Research Center (TARQ) in June 1970. As part of the celebration of this milestone, a commemorative logo has been created to be used throughout 2020.

FAO Deputy Director-General Visits JIRCAS

The Deputy Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Dr. Daniel Gustafson, visited JIRCAS on January 23, 2020 and held discussions with JIRCAS President Dr. IWANAGA Masa on a wide range of topics including common areas of concern to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as global food and nutrition security and addressing climate change.

Ambassador Carlos Pere of the Republic of Panama Visits JIRCAS

Ambassador Carlos Pere of the Republic of Panama visited JIRCAS on January 14, 2020. President Iwanaga and Ambassador Pele exchanged views on partnerships in technological cooperation and potential for improving research capacity.

Pres. Iwanaga at the 9th Annual GRA Council Meeting

JIRCAS President Dr. IWANAGA Masa attended the 9th annual Council Meeting of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA) held in Denpasar, Indonesia on October 6-7, 2019.