Project Leader TSUJIMOTO Yasuhiro made a studio appearance on Lucky FM Ibaraki's radio program "Weekly Newspo" on May 27, 2023 (19:35-19:57).
Moderated by navigator SHIBATA Akiko and commentator FURUYA Keihira, PL Tsujimoto explained the problem of poverty in Africa, its background of unstable agricultural production and the effects of climate change, and the importance of international contributions through rice research, in which Japan has an advantage. As one of the results of such research, PL Tsujimoto introduced the phosphorus-dipping technology (P-dipping) developed by JIRCAS, which can increase rice productivity with less fertilizer, and the future prospects for the diffusion of the technology in Madagascar.
On Twitter (#ニュースポ), the audience commented as follows: "I have never heard of rice being eaten in Madagascar," "It is good that Japanese technology is being used," and "Fertilizer prices are really skyrocketing and we are in trouble”.
Press release articles on P-dipping technology
- Phosphorus dipping treatment of rice seedlings increases yield and avoids cold damage ―Towards stable rice production in Africa with minimal fertilizer input―
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/release/2020/press202001 -
Widespread Use of “P-dipping” Technology for Paddy Rice Fertilization― Adopted by poor farmers and a fertilizer company in Madagascar and led to new investments―
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/release/2022/press202224