Rural Energy and Environment Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, China
A delegation from China's Rural Energy and Environment Agency, Ministry of Agriculture visited NARO on November 29, 2017 for a discussion meeting with researchers from the Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science (NILGS) on livestock waste management. The group included Mr. Xiaohua Li (Associate Professor of REEA), Mr. Miao Liang (Deputy Director), Mr. Xuehai Ju (Assistant Professor of REEA) and Dr. Tuo Jin (Assistant Professor of REEA). The NILGS researchers including Dr. Kazuyoshi Suzuki (Director, Animal Environment and Waste Management Research), Dr. Yasuyuki Fukumoto (Unit Leader, Air Environment Unit), Dr. Miyoko Waki (Water Environment Unit) and Dr. Tomoko Yasuda (Air Environment Unit) participated in the discussion meeting.
Delegation from Royal Netherlands Embassy
Dr. Evert Jan Krajenbrink, Agricultural Counsellor at the Royal Netherlands Embassy Tokyo and Ms. Yuko Saito, Senior Agricultural Adviser visited NARO on November 14, 2017 in conjunction with NARO's plan to deploy a liaison scientist to Wageningen University & Research (WUR) in the Netherlands from April 2018 in order to strengthen research collaboration. Dr. Krajenbrink and Ms. Sato met with NARO Vice-president, Dr. Toshio Ohtani, and researchers from the Institute of Food Research, Institute of Agrobiological Sciences, and Central Region Agricultural Research Center for discussions on bio-economy, food innovation and agricultural management research in Japan. They also visited the Tsukuba Plant Factory of the Institute of Vegetable and Floriculture Science.
Delegation from Taiwan's Office of Training Program of Biomedicine and New Agriculture
A delegation from Office of Training Program of Biomedicine and New Agriculture headed by Dr. Chung-Liang Chien, National Taiwan University and PI of Training Program for Interdisciplinary Talents of Biomedicine and New Agriculture, visited NARO on November 9, 2017 to understand how the NARO develops its intelligent agriculture research, food safety inspection and management technology and to exchange the strategies of how to establish the cooperative relations with related industries and research institutions. The delegation also visited the Tsukuba Plant Factory (NIVF) and the Institute of Agricultural Machinery (Tsukuba Campus), and had discussions with NARO researchers collaborating with Tsukuba University.
Delegation from Korea's Rural Development Administration (RDA)
A delegation from the Rural Development Administration(RDA) in Korea including Dr. Dae-Yong Hwang (Senior Scientist, Farm & Agribusiness Management Division), Dr. Ji-Young Shon (Deputy Director of Bilateral Cooperation Team, ITCC) and Dr. Dea-Wook Kim (Research Scientist, National Institute of Crop Science) visited NARO on September 25-27, 2017 in order to to explore the possible cooperative field in order to strengthen the RDA-NARO cooperation. The RDA delegation had discussions with researchers from the Central Region Agricultural Research Center, Agri-Food Business Innovation Center, Institute of Food Research, Institute of Crop Science, Institute of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Institute of Fruit and Tea Science, Institute of Agricultural Machinery.
Delegation from Thailand's Department of Agriculture (DOA)
A delegation from Thailand's Department of Agriculture (DOA) including Dr. Nipat Sukhvibul (Senior Expert on Crops Production, Office of Agricultural Res. and Development), Mr. Suradet Patchimkul (Director, Office of Agricultural Res. and Development), Ms. Rungtiva Rodchan (Plant Standards and Certification Division), Mr. Thirachat Vichitcholchai (Director, Post-Harvest and Product Processing Res. and Development Office), Ms. Preeyanooch Tippayawat (Director, Plant Standards and Certification Division), Ms. Jintawee Thaingam (Director, International Agricultural Affairs Group), Ms. Pismai Chantanamatha (Director, Research Systems Group), and Mr.Thammarat Thongmee (Field and Renewable Energy Crops Research Institute) visited NARO on September 20, 2017 for an overview of Japan's system on food safety, plant protection, plant standards / certification, import / export system and management technology of agricultural products.
Polish National Veterinary Research Institute(PIWet)
A delegation from the Polish National Veterinary Research Institute (PIWet)including Prof. Krzysztof Niemczuk (Director General), Prof. Jacek Kuzmak (Deputy Director for Research), Mr. Miroslaw Polak (Scientific Secretary) and Dr. G. Wozniakowski visited the NARO Headquarters on August 30, 2017 and met with NARO President Imbe and Vice-President Shioya. The visit was in conjunction with the joint meeting with the National Institute of Animal Health with the aim of establishing joint research collaboration.
Plantum and Centre for Genetic Resources of the Netherlands
Ms. Anke van den Hurk, Deputy Director of Plantum, the Dutch association for the plant reproduction material sector, and Dr. Theo van Hintum, Head of Plant Genetic Resources, Centre for Genetic Resources, Wageningen UR visited the NARO Headquarters on August 23, 2017 and met with NARO President, Dr. Tokio Imbe. After the courtesy call, they visited the Genebank of the Research Center of Genetic Resources, Center for Seeds and Seedlings, and the Tsukuba Plant Factory for an overview of the NARO's facilities and research achievements.
Japan-China 100 People of Communication
A delegation from the Japan-China 100 People of Communication consisting a training group of 21 participants from the Hainan Province in China visited NARO on July 26, 2017. The group visited the Research Center of Genetic Resources and the Tsukuba Agriculture Research Hall for an overview of the Genebank facilities and research achievements of NARO institutes and research centers.
Agricultural Science Section of Russian Academy of Science
In conjunction with the Japan-Russia Agricultural Technology Exchange, a delegation from the Agricultural Science Section of the Russian Academy of Science that included Dr. Vladimir Kosolapov (Director of All-Russian Williams Fodder Research Institute), Dr. Victor Pakhomov (Director of North-Caucasus Scientific Research Institute of Agricultural Mechanisation) and Dr. S. I. Kostenko (Head of Section at Williams Feed Institute) visited the NARO Headquarters on August 11, 2017 and met with NARO President Dr. Tokio Imbe. A joint meeting was also organized on the theme "Contaminants and Pathogens: Challenges and Opportunities for Food and Feed Safety" at the NIAH main conference room on July 12, 2017 with presentations from Dr. Kosolapov and Dr. Pakhomov, as well as researchers from the National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH) and Institute of Food Research (NFRI) of NARO.
RDA Client Service Division Head visit to NARO
A delegation from the Rural Development Administration (RDA) of South Korea headed by Mr. Ssang Soo Kim (Client Service Division of RDA) visited the Institute of Fruit Tree and Tea Science, NARO (NIFTS) on June 27, 2017. Dr. Hideo Bessho, Director of the Division of Fruit Breeding and Genetics gave them a lecture on "Trends in new varieties and new technology in fruit trees" with a fruitful discussion and this was followed by a tour of the experimental plots for pear.
Visit of IRRI Director General to NARO
The Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Dr. Matthew Morell visited NARO on June 23, 2017 and met with NARO President, Dr. Tokio Imbe. On the same occasion, NARO's International Relations Office gave an update on research collaborations with IRRI on the premise of the Memoramdum of Understanding (MOU), whereas Dr. Yusaku Uga and Dr. Hiroshi Tsunematsu of the Institute of Crop Science talked about possible research areas for future collaborations with IRRI.
Australia's National Farmers Federation
The delegation of Australia's National Farmers Federation (NFF) headed by President Fiona Simson visited NARO on June 22, 2017 and met with NARO Senior Vice-President, Dr. Akihiro Sasaki. The NFF is an Australian non-profit membership based organization that represents Australian farmers and the agricultural sector in Australia. The delegation which included Mr. Les Gordon (NFF Vice President), Ms Amy Fay (Chair, NFF Innovation Committee), Mr. Mark Harvey-Sutton (Manager for Rural Affairs), Ms Sachiko Stone (Australian Embassy) and Mr. Edward Simson also visited the Institute of Agricultural Machinery for an overview of NARO research on agricultural robotics and the Farm Activity Record Management System (FARMS).
Visit of Wageningen UR Account Manager Asia
With the aim of establishing research collaborations with NARO, Dr. Arjo Rothuis, Account Manager Asia, Wageningen UR visited NARO on June 12, 2017. A discussion meeting on greenhouse horticulture, robotics, harvesting of vegetables and fruits was held with Dr. Tomohiko Ohta (Inst. Agricultural Machinery) and Dr. Yasunaga Iwasaki (Inst. Vegetable & Floriculture Sciences); high-throughput plant phenotyping using drones with Dr. Junichi Yonemaru and Dr. Hiroshi Tsunematsu (Inst. Crop Science); food research, postharvest technology, food waste, bioconversion, utilization of near-infrared light with NFRI researchers including Dr. Hiroshi Nabetani (Director-General), Dr. Shigehiro Naito, Dr. Michiko Momma, Dr. Masayasu Nagata, Dr. Ken Tokuyasu, Dr. Hidekazu Itoh and Dr. Shioka Hamamatsu.
Visit of Naktuinbouw Variety Testing Head
Dr. Bert Scholte, the head of Variety Testing at the Netherlands Inspection Service for Horticulture (Naktuinbouw) visited NARO on May 23, 2017 and paid a courtesy call to NARO Senior Vice President, Dr. Akihiro Sasaki, and Vice-President (Seed・Seedling Management), Dr. Eiji Shinmoto. The visit was in conjunction with the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between Naktuinbouw and NARO's Center for Seeds and Seedlings. Naktuinbouw is the major organization in-charge in carrying out official inspection and certification of horticultural seeds and plants, providing access to suitable varieties of vegetables and crops in the Netherlands. The signing of the MOU signified the start of enhancing international cooperation to promote partnership and ensure an efficient plant variety registration system for protection of plant breeders' rights that will eventually promote the breeding new varieties.
Visit of Israel Attache for Culture and Science Affairs
Mr. Arieh Rosen, the attache for Culture and Science Affairs of the Embassy of Israel visited NARO on May 17, 2017 and paid a courtesy call to NARO President, Dr. Tokio Imbe. The visit was in conjunction with the conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding between NARO and Israel's Agriculture Research Organization (ARO) Israel for collaborative research on water utilization. A brief meeting with potential NARO collaborators from the Institute of Vegetable and Floriculture Science (NIVFS) and Institute for Rural Engineering (NIRE) including Dr. Yoshiteru Sakata (Director-General, NIVFS), Dr. Kunihiko Okada (Director of Division of Vegetable Production System, NIVFS), Dr. Yasunaga Iwasaki Production Technology Unit Leader, NIVFS), Dr. Hidekazu Sasaki (Leaf and Root Vegetable Unit Leader, NIVFS), and Dr. Koji Hamada (Soil Physics and Irrigation Unit, NIRE) followed with discussions on the Young Leadership Program and postdoctoral program of Israel.
Visit of AfricaRice Delegation
The participants of AfricaRice annual meeting on "Rapid Mobilization of Alleles for Rice Cultivar Improvement in Sub-Saharan Africa" paid a courtesy call to NARO President, Dr. Tokio Imbe on April 26, 2017. The AfricaRice delegation included Dr. Gary Atlin (BMGF USA), Dr. Koichi Futakuchi (AfricaRice Cote d'Ivoire), Dr. Venuprasad Ramaiah (AfricaRice Nigeria), Dr. Mamadou Fofana (AfricaRice Nigeria), Dr. Mounirou Sow (AfricaRice Nigeria), Dr. Mohammed Bashiru (NCRI Nigeria), Dr. Susan McCouch (Cornell Univ), Dr. Ajay Kohli (IRRI), Dr. Naoki Yamamoto (IRRI) and Dr. Sun Jian (SAU China). The meeting was held on April 26-28, 2017 at the Tsukuba Innovation Plaza.
Visit of Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR)
The Executive Board of Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) headed by Dr. Luxsamee Plangsangmas (Governor), Mrs. Chantara Phoonsiri (Deputy Governor R&D for Bioindustries), Dr. Aparat Mahakhant (Deputy Governor R&D for Sustainable Development), Mr. Lertrit Sirisetthakarn (Director of International Relations Division), and Dr. Thanit Vairojanawon (Acting Director of Expert Center of Innovative Industrial Robotics and Automation) paid a courtesy call to NARO President, Dr. Tokio Imbe on April 25, 2017. The TISTR delegation also visited the Institute of Food Research and the Institute of Agricultural Machinery (Tsukuba). The aim of the visit is to establish research collaboration with NARO on functional food and robotics for agriculture.
Visit of International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) Delegation
A delegation from the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) that included Dr. Ruben Echeverria (Director General), Dr. Dindo Campilan Regional Director for Asia, Dr. Andre Zandstra (Head, Partnerships and Cooperation), Dr. Manabu Ishitani (Agrobiodiversity Research Area) visited NARO on April 10, 2017 and met with NARO President Tokio Imbe, NARO Vice-President Kazumasa Shioya and NARO International Relations Office Head Takashi Nagai. The visit was in conjunction with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote research cooperation between CIAT and NARO in various fields encompassing agrotechnology, technological innovations, food science, environmental science, and social sciences. Details of MOU signing ceremony here.
Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP)
A delegation from Mexico's Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Agricolas y Pecuarias (INIFAP) headed by Dr. Luis Fernando Flores Lui (Director General), Dr. Jose Fernando De La Torre Sanchez (Director of CNRG INIFAP), Mr. Francisco Moreno Sanchez (Director of Technical Support Unit) and Mr. Francisco Javier Manjarrez Juarez (Director of INIFAP Regional Research Center) visited NARO on March 6, 2017 and met with NARO President Dr. Tokio Imbe, NARO Vice-President Dr. Tsukasa Nagamine, NARO Vice-President Dr. Nori Kurata, NARO Vice-President Mr. Kazumasa Shioya and NARO International Relations Office Head Dr. Taku Nagai. The delegation was accompanied by Dr. Hiroshi Nemoto (Director, NARO Research Center of Genetic Resources), Dr. Makoto Kawase (Professor, Tsukuba University), Dr. Kazuo Watanabe (Professor, Tsukuba University) and Dr. Yoshihiro Okada (Researcher, Tsukuba University).
Brazil's Santa Catarina Federation of Industries
A delegation from Brazil's Santa Catarina Federation of Industries (FIESC) headed by Mr. Glauco Jose Corte (FIESC President), Mr. Gilberto Sezeme (FIESC Regional Diretor), Mr. Carlos Henrique Ramos Fonseca (FIESC), and Ms. Tatiani Leal (FIESC) visited NARO on March 6, 2017 and met with NARO President Dr. Tokio Imbe and NARO Vice-President Mr. Kazumasa Shioya. The delegation also visited the Tsukuba Plant Factory for an overview of the automated greenhouse horticulture. The delegation was accompanied by the Agricultural Attache of the Embassy of Brazil, Mr. Marcelo Andrade Mota and embassy staff.
Visit of Brazilian Agricultural Attache
The Agricultural Attache of the Embassy of Brazil, Mr. Marcelo Andrade Mota visited NARO on February 24, 2017 and met with NARO President Dr. Tokio Imbe. He also visited the Tsukuba Plant Factory and met with Dr. Tadahisa Higashide, Unit Leader, Greenhouse Crop Physiology Unit, Division of Vegetable Production System, Institute of Vegetable and Floriculture Science (NIVFS) for an overview of the automated greenhouse horticulture. The Brazilian Agricultural Attache was accompanied by Mr. Mario Fujita, official translator and interpreter of the embassy.
