JIRCAS Report
Courtesy visit to the Director-General of Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of Madagascar
JIRCAS is implementing the SATREPS project “Breakthrough in Nutrient Use Efficiency for Rice by Genetic Improvement and Fertility Sensing Techniques in Africa” in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAEP) of Madagascar. In order to promote the JIRCAS research activities in Madagascar, including this project, and to build a stronger joint research implementation system, JIRCAS President, Dr. Masa Iwanaga paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the MAEP on March 1, 2018.
JIRCAS Science Café features “Going to Africa to fight against locusts”
The 13th JIRCAS Science Café featuring a talk entitled “Going to Africa to fight against locusts” was held at the Blue Baobab Africa, a cafe bar and meeting place located in Azabudai, Minato-ku in Tokyo on March 4, 2018.
“Going to Africa to fight against locusts” receives “Shinsho Award”
Dr. Kotaro Maeno, researcher of the Crop Livestock and Environment Division, received the “Shinsho Award” (literally “Pocket-sized Book Award”) supported by the Chuokoron Shinsha Inc. for his book entitled “Going to Africa to fight locusts” (literal translation of the Japanese title) published by Kobunsha.
MoU promises to strengthen partnership between JIRCAS and ICAR
JIRCAS and ICAR concluded a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), dated 9th February 2018, for comprehensive research collaboration. JIRCAS has accordingly commenced the collaboration on soil salinity mitigation and crop improvement for salinity tolerance with CSSRI and IARI, which are both under ICAR, respectively.
2nd International Workshop on Network Development and Information Sharing for Management of Sugarcane White Leaf Disease
The 2nd International Workshop on Network Development and Information Sharing for Management of Sugarcane White Leaf Disease in Asia was held in Khon Kaen, Thailand on February 19-20, 2018. The workshop co-organized by JIRCAS, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen University and Khon Kaen Field Crop Research Center, Department of Agriculture was attended by more than 50 participants from research institutions in the United States, India, Indonesia, Australia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and Japan.
Dr. Satoshi Nakamura receives the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology Award
On March 25, 2018, Senior Researcher Satoshi Nakamura of the Crop, Livestock and Environment Division received the Society Award from the Japanese Society of Applied Entomology and Zoology (JSAEZ).
Delegation from the Sugar Regulatory Administration of the Philippines Visits JIRCAS
A six-member delegation led by Administrator Hermenegildo R. Serafica of the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), Department of Agriculture, Philippines, visited JIRCAS Headquarters in Tsukuba and the Tropical Agricultural Research Front (TARF) in Ishigaki on February 4-10, 2018 to enhance the JIRCAS-SRA partnership and provide impetus to the current collaborative project.
WorldVeg Director General visits JIRCAS
Dr. Marco Wopereis, director general of the World Vegetable Center (WorldVeg), visited JIRCAS on January 31, 2018 during his official trip to Japan.
MAFF Vice Minister Taniai Visits JIRCAS
Vice Minister Masaki Taniai of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) visited JIRCAS on February 8, 2018 for an overview and exchange opinions on research initiatives for improving technology in agriculture, forestry and fisheries in developing countries.
JIRCAS exhibit at the SAT Technology Showcase 2018
JIRCAS participated in the Science Academy of Tsukuba (SAT) Technology Showcase 2018 held at the Tsukuba International Conference Center on February 8, 2018 with a poster exhibit introducing the research on sequencing the genome of the cereal crop Quinoa and the genome database.