On March 23, 2025 (Sunday), as part of the excursion activities of the 14th National Science Koshien Tournament (held from March 21 to 24), 22 students from four teams—namely, Saitama Prefectural Kawagoe High School, Tottori Prefectural Yonago Higashi High School, Ibaraki Prefectural Hitachi Daiichi High School and Junior High School (Junior Division), and Ibaraki Prefectural Namiki Secondary School (Junior Division)—visited the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS).

During the visit, the students were introduced to JIRCAS’s research and development activities aimed at solving global food and environmental problems. Together, they explored why Japan plays a vital role in promoting research and development in the agricultural, forestry, and fisheries sectors of developing regions.

Following this, Dr. UKE Ayaka, a researcher in the Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division, presented her work on palm oil production in Southeast Asia, an essential resource in our daily lives, and the development of technologies to mitigate the environmental issues arising from its production.

Additionally, Dr. KOSUGI Akihiko, director of the Biological Resources and Post-harvest Division, introduced a startup company established to promote the widespread adoption of these technologies, ensuring their swift availability for public use. He shared how the development of these technologies has taken over 20 years of collaboration and repeated trials with various partners. The students listened intently and were fascinated by the journey from technological development to dissemination.

The development and dissemination of technology require a solid foundation of scientific data and reliable information that users can trust. To ensure the adoption of environmentally friendly technologies, they must not only be beneficial to the environment but also offer economic advantages to those utilizing them. This visit provided an opportunity for students to think beyond scientific research and consider its broader impact.

Through this lecture, students gained a deeper understanding of food and environmental issues in developing regions, particularly the importance of agricultural research, potentially shaping their future academic and career paths.