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【JIRCAS Mail Magazine No. 53 (March 2024)
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Nominations Open for 2024 Japan International Award for Young Agricultural Researchers (Japan Award)

The prestigious Japan Award is now accepting nominations for candidates under the following criteria:
● Those who have shown outstanding performance in research and development in developing regions.
● Those who have made outstanding research achievements with potential for future technological innovation.

Recipients will receive a certificate of recognition and an incentive award of US$5,000.
We invite you to nominate your colleagues who you believe exemplify these criteria.
For more information, please see the link below.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/young_award/2024

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■ Latest Topics
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● Visualizing the Impact of Nitrogen Load Reduction on Tropical Islands through the Food Nitrogen Footprint
The nitrogen footprint of food is an indicator of the amount of nitrogen released into the environment from the entire process of food production, distribution, consumption, and human excretion. By promoting the use of organic resources (cattle manure), we can reduce 30% of chemical fertilizers used on Ishigaki Island and reduce the nitrogen load generated on the island by 18%. It is expected to be used to achieve the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals and the the Sustainable Food Systems Strategy, MIDORI.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/release/2023/press202323

● JIRCAS Facilitates Dialogue on Public-Private Partnership to Promote JCM Utilization in the Agricultural Sector
JIRCAS, together with the Project Team of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Open Lab Policy for Utilization of Joint Crediting Mechanism in the Agricultural Sector, co-hosted the "Plenary Dialogue for Establishing Public-Private Partnership to Advance Utilization of Joint Crediting Mechanism in the Agricultural Sector" on March 1, 2024.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2023/r20240312_0

● JIRCAS Presents Research on Biomass Energy at the Green Food System EXPO
JIRCAS participated in the 'Green Food System EXPO' hosted by the Japan Management Association at Tokyo Big Sight from March 5-8, 2024. This event serves as a platform to promote the food value chain and a sustainable environment.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2023/r20240312

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■ New Technologies and Research Outputs
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● Shallow sub-surface drainage constructed with “Cut-soiler” mitigates soil salinity
In the Hindustan Plain of northern India, where soil salinization is escalating, implementation of shallow subsurface drainage using the “Cut-soiler" method resulted in an 8% reduction in soil salinity after 4 months and a 32% reduction after 1 year and 4 months.
For information on the "Cut-soiler" and application method, please refer to the following link.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/publication/research_results/2022_a11

● Clarifying the genetic diversity of Amaranthus tricolor ‘Hiyuna,’ a traditional Asian vegetable
We have analyzed the genetic diversity of ‘Hiyuna', a traditional leafy vegetable commonly used in Asia, and have generated a set of genetic markers and varieties useful for breeding. By using these markers, we expect to develop new 'Hiyuna', varieties with improved nutritional value, eating quality, and yield.
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/publication/research_results/2022_b07

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■ Visits
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● 58 Young Agricultural Trainees from ASEAN Countries Visit JIRCAS (Feb 19)
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2023/r20240227

● Sanda Gakuen High School Sophomores Explore Ishigaki Island SDGs Program at TARF (Jan 22)
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en/reports/2023/r20240315

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■ Call for Submissions
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We welcome submissions of articles about overseas events, timely local information, etc.
To submit an article, please include your affiliation, name (anonymous is OK), and article title to
koho-jircas@ml.affrc.go.jp
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【Edited and Published by】
Information and Public Relations Office
Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS)
1-1 Ohwashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan
https://www.jircas.go.jp/en