On March 24–30, 2024, JIRCAS welcomed visitors from the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) of the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines. Ms. Ma. Mitzi V. Mangwag, Board Member and Acting Administrator, together with Atty. Ignacio S. Santillana, Deputy Administrator, visited the Tropical Agricultural Research Front (TARF) in Ishigaki Island and JIRCAS Headquarters in Tsukuba. JIRCAS and SRA are collaborating on three projects: ‘Climate change measures in Monsoon Asia,' ‘Yama-Sato-Umi agroecosystem connectivity', and 'Tropical crop genetic resources.'

During their visit to the Okinawa Prefectural Agricultural Research Center, which has a research collaboration agreement with JIRCAS, Research Director Irei and Crops Group Leader Naito explained the content of their research on sugarcane breeding and related facilities. In the discussion, SRA requested support for updating of breeding research facilities and guidance on research methods.

During their visit to TARF, they observed the progress of SRA and JIRCAS's joint research, including the deep planting of sugarcane and field experiments to utilize sugar residue. SRA expressed high expectations for the results. They also inspected Japanese sugarcane cultivation systems, focusing on agricultural machinery such as small harvesters/tractors, at a neighboring farm and exchanged views with relevant organizations on the early introduction of such systems in the Philippines.

At the headquarters in Tsukuba, they met with President Koyama and Program Director Hayashi to further strengthen cooperation for the sustainable development of sugarcane cultivation in the Philippines and Japan, and for the resolution of global issues. After that, the participants attended a 'Special Seminar on Sustainable Sugarcane Cultivation Systems,' where Board Member Mangwag highlighted the importance of sugarcane cultivation in the Philippines and the challenges it is currently facing, and expressed her appreciation and expectations for the collaboration with JIRCAS. Project Leader Anzai, representing the three projects, also introduced the joint research with SRA and thanked SRA for their support in maintaining safe and smooth activities by JIRCAS researchers in the Philippines. Deputy Administrator Santillana then spoke about the challenges facing sugarcane cultivation in the Philippines and his expectations for joint research between JIRCAS and SRA.

This visit strengthened the collaboration between JIRCAS and SRA and is expected to contribute to establishing wider-ranging cooperation between Japan and the Philippines for the sustainable development of sugarcane cultivation.