JIRCAS Report 2015

JIRCAS ranks 6th in “Plant Science and Zoology” category of Thomson Reuters highly cited papers

The Thomson Reuters (Headquarters: New York, USA; Japan Office: Minato-ku, Tokyo) released  the updated ranking of research institutions in Japan based on the number of highly cited papers on April 16, 2015.

Agriculture Minister of Madagascar Visits JIRCAS

Minister Roland Ravatomanga of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAEP) of Madagascar and Ms. Rosette Lalatiana Rasoamanarivo, Interim Ambassador of the Madagascar Embassy in Japan, visited JIRCAS on March 9, 2016.

Certificate of Appreciation from the Lao PDR Forest Science Research Center

A certificate of appreciation and a commemorative gift from the Lao PDR Forest Science Research Center (FSRC) Director, Dr. Vongvilay Vongkhamsao were presented to Dr. Kenichiro Kimura, Senior Researcher of the Rural Development Division, at the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) meeting room on March 4, 2016.

Ambassador Ruth Kahanoff of Israel Visits JIRCAS

Ambassador Ruth Kahanoff of the Israel Embassy in Tokyo visited JIRCAS on February 16, 2016 for discussions and exchange of information on the research activities of the JIRCAS and agricultural research in Israel.

Visit of the Imperial Couple to the International Rice Research Institute

Their Majesties, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, undertook a state visit to the Philippines from January 26-30, 2016. As part of the state visit, the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) hosted the Imperial Couple for an overview of the institute’s global rice research initiatives at the IRRI Headquarters in Los Banos, Laguna on January 29, 2016.

Methodology in JIRCAS’s Research Highlights 2012 report, “Soil suitability map for teak plantation in the Northeast of Thailand,” extended to four other provinces by the Thai Royal Forest Department (RFD)

JIRCAS carried out a joint research project with the Thai Royal Forest Department (RFD), and the results were summarized in JIRCAS’s “Research Highlights 2012” report titled “Soil suitability map for teak plantation in the Northeast of Thailand.” One of the outputs of this JIRCAS-RFD project was the publication of a map for Udon Thani and Nong Bua Lam Phu Provinces (Figure 1a) in Northeast Thailand, the project’s study area.

JIRCAS participates in “High Level Policy Dialogue on Investment in Agricultural Research for Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific Region"

The Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) is a regional association of agricultural research institutes whose mission is “to promote the development of national agricultural research systems (NARS) in the Asia-Pacific region through inter-regional and inter-institutional cooperation.” JIRCAS is one of APAARI’s founding members and has been an active participant in meetings and activities since its establishment in 1990.

Presentation of JIRCAS international collaborative project outputs at the “Research for Development (R4D) Week” of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture

JIRCAS has been working with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) on the collaborative project, titled “Evaluation and Utilization of Diverse Genetic Materials in Tropical Field Crops (EDITS),” focusing on yam and cowpea, which are important regional crops in Africa. This project is aimed at advancing crop breeding activities.

JIRCAS International Symposium 2015 Why 'Quality' Matters in International Agriculture Research?

Dr. Masa Iwanaga, President of JIRCAS, opened the symposium. He mentioned several new keywords in international development such as ‘nutrition security,’ ‘establishment of food value chains,’ ‘resilience,’ and ‘inclusive development,’ all of which focus on qualitative development rather than quantitative expansion of the economy as represented by GDP growth rates. He also spoke of the major objectives of the symposium, zeroing in on ‘quality,’ a common aspect of these emerging keywords.

2015 Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers

JIRCAS, in cooperation with the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council (AFFRC) Secretariat, presented the Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers for the ninth consecutive year. The award recognizes and honors young foreign researchers (under 40 years of age) who are highly recommended by their institutes, and whose outstanding achievements promote research and development of agricultural, forestry, fishery and other related industries in developing regions.

Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Visits JIRCAS

The Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to Japan, Mr. Godwin Nsude Agbo visited JIRCAS on July 1, 2015 for exchange of information on agricultural research activities and discussions on future research targets in Nigeria.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam Visits JIRCAS

The Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam, Mr. Tran Viet Thanh and 4 others visited JIRCAS on May 29, 2015 for an overview of the research activities at JIRCAS and discussions with researchers.

Director of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture Visits JIRCAS

The Director of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Dr. Nteranya Sanginga, who is currently in Japan, visited JIRCAS on April 6, 2015 and gave a presentation entitled "IITA: the Leading Research Partner in Africa - Repositioning IITA for Impact in Africa".