Rising global temperatures and ongoing climate change are making agricultural production in arid and harsh environments increasingly unstable. In particular, water-scarce regions face growing risks of drought and salinity stress, while soil salinization, nutrient imbalances, and soil erosion are degrading agricultural production systems and threatening sustainable crop and livestock production. Addressing these challenges requires the promotion of genomics and omics research, together with the development of molecular breeding resources for major crops such as rice and soybean, as well as for stress-tolerant crops such as quinoa. Furthermore, establishing an integrated research platform that incorporates crop-livestock integration and the effective use of alternative water resources is essential for enhancing the sustainability and resilience of agricultural production systems.

This project develops molecular resources, information platforms, and component technologies related to breeding, livestock management, and water use through both advanced basic research and locally adapted studies in harsh environments. The project aims to establish a research and development platform for resilience-enhancing agriculture.

• Development of foundational technologies for resilient crop-livestock production systems
• Development of advanced technology platforms for crop resilience
• Development of sustainable cash-crop production systems utilizing alternative water resources in arid regions

Bolivia, Tunisia, and arid and environmentally harsh regions worldwide

Local counterpart institutions, extension organizations, and agricultural producers in Bolivia, Tunisia, and other environmentally harsh regions worldwide

OGATA Takuya (Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division)