The representatives of SATREPS Bolivia Project on the Bolivian side including Dr. Giovanna Almanza, Professor, Institute of Chemistry, University of San Andrés, Dr. Yonny Rene Flores Segura, Senior Researcher, Department of Chemistry, University of San Andrés, Dr. Wilfredo Rojas, Representative of the Andean Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (PROINPA) and others visited JIRCAS on January 30, 2023 to strengthen cooperation.

The University of San Andrés (UMSA) is a national university headquartered in La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, and is known as the premier academic institution in Bolivia. The Andean Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (PROINPA) is a non-profit agricultural research and extension organization established about 25 years ago by its members at the time, following the closure of national agricultural research institutes.

JIRCAS, in collaboration with Kyoto University and others, has succeeded in deciphering the genome of quinoa for the first time in the world. Then from 2020, we have started the SATREPS Bolivia project Strengthening of Resilience in Arid Agro-Ecosystems Vulnerable to Climate Change, Through Research on Plant Resources and Technological Applications in collaboration UMSA and PROINPA on the Bolivian side, and Kyoto University, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology on the Japanese side. The goal of this project is not only to pave the way for improved and higher value-added quinoa lines, but also to gain insight into breeding strategies against climate change by elucidating the mechanism of crop adaptation to severe environmental and climatic conditions.

Prof. Giovanna Almanza and her colleagues are the representatives for the Bolivian side of the theme of the project.. During their visit to JIRCAS, they were joined by Dr. YASUI Yasuo of Kyoto University, Dr. KATSURA Keisuke of Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, and Dr. TOUKURA Yuji of Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, to exchange views on strengthening collaboration in the future.

On February 7 (Tue), the SATREPS Symposium: The Wonder of Superfood “Quinoa” Native to South America, will be held. In addition to Prof. Almanza and others from San Andres University, producers who have started quinoa cultivation in Hokkaido are invited as lecturers to introduce attractive crops from the Andes Mountains, such as quinoa and potato, and to communicate the potential of quinoa as a food for the future.

Overview of the SATREPS Symposium

https://www.jircas.go.jp/ja/satreps-bolivia/topics/events/20230127

Organizer

SATREPS Bolivia Project, JIRCAS

Co-organizer

Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

Date

Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine

Venue

Lecture Hall 25, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine and Online streaming (Zoom)

Language

Japanese (Simultaneous translation of presentations in Spanish) 

Participation Fee

Lecture Session: Free, Reception: 2000 yen/person

Lecture Session

15:00 ~ 17:15 (about 20 min for each presentation)

Reception

17:30 ~ 19:00
Obihiro Univ. Kashiwa Plaza

Tasting of quinoa dishes and exchange of opinions with speakers

Registration

https://www.jircas.go.jp/ja/satreps-bolivia/topics/events/20230127
Deadline: February 3 (Fri) at 15:00