The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been conducting training programs for extension officials from Asian and African countries to improve rice cultivation techniques. As part of this training program, 8 extension workers from 7 countries including Ethiopia and the Philippines, and 3 JICA staff visited JIRCAS on Tuesday, May 31, 2022.

After an introduction of JIRCAS research activities, Project Leader TSUJIMOTO Yasuhiro (Crop, Livestock and Environment Division) gave a presentation titled "A challenge for increasing rice productivity under low-input and low soil fertilizer conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa”. In the lecture, he introduced the development of rice cultivation technology for productivity improvement underway in Madagascar with video footage of local activities, followed by an exchange of opinions with the extension workers.

The global outbreak of the new coronavirus infection that began in early 2020 did not abate in FY2021, forcing the suspension of the JICA training program. We will continue to disseminate information on JIRCAS efforts to address global environmental and food issues through such cooperation and exchange.