Strengthening function as an international hub for providing strategic information on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, and mobilizing new research partnerships
From April 9 to 10, 2026, the “First ASEAN Consultation Workshop and Capacity Building: Development of Regenerative and Resilient Agriculture Systems Implementation Plan and Biochar Guidelines,” an event co-hosted by the ASEAN Secretariat and the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), was held in Hanoi, Vietnam. The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) participated in the workshop at the invitation of the ASEAN Secretariat.
The Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS) has added Japanese and English subtitles to the archive videos of the 2025 Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers (Japan Award) and the JIRCAS International Symposium 2025, and has released them on YouTube via the “JIRCAS Channel.”
I visited a durian farm in Rayong Province in eastern Thailand. Durian is one of Thailand’s leading export agricultural products, and its industry has been rapidly expanding, particularly due to growing demand from the Chinese market. At the site, I was struck by the presence of irrigation facilities and the high level of management involved.
A study published in PNAS in 2026 suggests that accelerating economic development in low- and middle-income countries could help curb future cropland expansion while contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. While economic growth has often been viewed as being at odds with environmental protection, the study indicates that development may actually reduce pressure on agricultural land through lower population growth rates and higher agricultural productivity.
A new study published in 2026 has provided the first quantitative meteorological definition of a “heat dome,” a term that has increasingly been used to describe severe heatwaves around the world. Based on an analysis of extreme heat events in North America, the study shows that many major heatwaves are associated with heat dome conditions, although not all heatwaves are caused by heat domes. The findings improve our understanding of the mechanisms behind extreme heat and provide a foundation for future heatwave research and climate risk assessment.
According to the latest forecast released by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) on 28 May 2026, global average temperatures are likely to remain at or near record levels over the next five years. There is an 86% chance that at least one year between 2026 and 2030 will surpass 2024 as the warmest year on record. The report also estimates a 91% probability that global mean temperature will temporarily exceed 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in at least one year during this period. Meanwhile, Arctic warming is expected to continue at a rate far exceeding the global average. The report further points to the possible emergence of El Niño conditions in late 2026, raising concerns about impacts on temperatures and precipitation patterns around the world.
The 2026 observance of the International Day of Potato highlighted the theme “Where potatoes grow, livelihoods flourish,” emphasizing the important role of potatoes in food security and rural livelihoods. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), potatoes are a key crop for combating hunger, promoting sustainable agriculture, and strengthening resilience to climate change. The organization also stressed the importance of conserving potato diversity and supporting sustainable production systems that benefit smallholder farmers and local communities.