International agricultural research centers and Japan
Iwanaga, M.
International agricultural research centers and Japan - Tsukuba (Japan) : JIRCAS, 2007. - 5 pages - Printed
The world is divided, rich and poor, and that disparity continues to increase. This is especially true for Sub-Sahara Africa. On the other hand, the world is interdependent. Plant or animal diseases originating in one country can easily affect other countries. Avian fl u and mad cow disease (BSE) are good examples. Major harvest losses in some countries would affect world food prices and availability (hence food security). The use of food crops for biofuels, driven by a global move toward renewable energy, affects food availability and prices worldwide. International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs) and Japan share a common vision for the role of agricultural research in the world. They both believe in the importance of agriculture as an engine of socioeconomic development. The world needs to be food-secure. We want a peaceful and prosperous world. Japan has the second largest economy in the world and its investment in research and development is also the second largest. In fact, the total amount of research money spent by Japan (private and public) is bigger than the total sum spent by 44 countries in Sub-Sahara Africa. Japan is endowed with huge resources of human capital, knowledge and technology that have potential value for developing countries. There are some good examples of the application of Japanese agricultural research talent and products for developing countries through collaborative research schemes between Japan and IARCs. The use of DREB (dehydration responsive element binding protein) for developing drought-tolerant crops represents an excellent test case of innovative, win-win, collaborative research with direct implications for developing countries. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) for increased efficiency of plant nitrogen use and for reduced emissions of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas, is another emerging example of collaboration with global impacts. Many research and educational organizations in Japan have set up offi ces for research and technology transfer to link their research outcomes to practical applications. Their view, however, is often limited to the Japanese market. By expanding this view to the developing world there are many more opportunities for practical applications. The major function of IARCs’ is to link the needs of the resource poor with technological innovations and practical solutions for improving their livelihoods. Therefore active linkages between Japanese organizations and IARCs would enhance the probability that Japanese knowledge and technology would be properly linked with the needs of the poor. This, in turn, benefi ts Japan which depends on large food imports and a peaceful and prosperous world for its own food and national security. IARCs also present excellent opportunities for Japanese students and scientists to get direct hands-on experience in international agriculture. Experience with IARCs would expand the horizons of students and scientists and offer opportunities to identify interesting and meaningful research challenges.
English
Agricultural research
Socioeconomic development
Food security
Research
Japan
International agricultural research centers and Japan - Tsukuba (Japan) : JIRCAS, 2007. - 5 pages - Printed
The world is divided, rich and poor, and that disparity continues to increase. This is especially true for Sub-Sahara Africa. On the other hand, the world is interdependent. Plant or animal diseases originating in one country can easily affect other countries. Avian fl u and mad cow disease (BSE) are good examples. Major harvest losses in some countries would affect world food prices and availability (hence food security). The use of food crops for biofuels, driven by a global move toward renewable energy, affects food availability and prices worldwide. International Agricultural Research Centers (IARCs) and Japan share a common vision for the role of agricultural research in the world. They both believe in the importance of agriculture as an engine of socioeconomic development. The world needs to be food-secure. We want a peaceful and prosperous world. Japan has the second largest economy in the world and its investment in research and development is also the second largest. In fact, the total amount of research money spent by Japan (private and public) is bigger than the total sum spent by 44 countries in Sub-Sahara Africa. Japan is endowed with huge resources of human capital, knowledge and technology that have potential value for developing countries. There are some good examples of the application of Japanese agricultural research talent and products for developing countries through collaborative research schemes between Japan and IARCs. The use of DREB (dehydration responsive element binding protein) for developing drought-tolerant crops represents an excellent test case of innovative, win-win, collaborative research with direct implications for developing countries. Biological nitrification inhibition (BNI) for increased efficiency of plant nitrogen use and for reduced emissions of nitrous oxide, a powerful greenhouse gas, is another emerging example of collaboration with global impacts. Many research and educational organizations in Japan have set up offi ces for research and technology transfer to link their research outcomes to practical applications. Their view, however, is often limited to the Japanese market. By expanding this view to the developing world there are many more opportunities for practical applications. The major function of IARCs’ is to link the needs of the resource poor with technological innovations and practical solutions for improving their livelihoods. Therefore active linkages between Japanese organizations and IARCs would enhance the probability that Japanese knowledge and technology would be properly linked with the needs of the poor. This, in turn, benefi ts Japan which depends on large food imports and a peaceful and prosperous world for its own food and national security. IARCs also present excellent opportunities for Japanese students and scientists to get direct hands-on experience in international agriculture. Experience with IARCs would expand the horizons of students and scientists and offer opportunities to identify interesting and meaningful research challenges.
English
Agricultural research
Socioeconomic development
Food security
Research
Japan