Objectives
NARO has been conducting reviews by leading scientists from overseas since 2012 to verify the level of research and activities for implementing research results in society at international standards. This review focused on four main research areas for the 5th Mid-term Plan (2021-2025): "AI and agriculture" smart-production technologies, utilization and conservation of genetic resources, innovative solutions for mitigating agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and innovation in plant protection. In addition, two topics related to the research vision of NARO were presented at this meeting for discussion and recommendation from the reviewers.
1. Date
October 9, 2024
2. Venue
Tokyo International Forum, Conference Room G701, 7th Floor
5-1 Marunouchi 3-chome, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005
3. Peer Reviewers*
- Dr. Glenn A. Fox
Principal Associate Director, Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), USA
- Prof. Dr. Johannes A. Jehle
Head of Institute, Institute for Biological Control, Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Germany
- Dr. Jean-François Soussana
Vice President, National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and the Environment (INRAE), France
- (* Affiliation at the time of the meeting)
4. Participants
3 reviewers, 15 NARO executives (including 3 online), 62 NARO staff (including 21 online), total 80
5. Meeting agenda
- (1) Peer Review of Research Programs
- Program 1: "AI and agriculture" smart-production technologies
- Program 2: Utilization and conservation of genetic resources
- Program 3: Innovative solutions for mitigating agricultural greenhouse gas emissions
- Program 4: Innovation in plant protection
- (2) Discussion on the Research Vision of NARO
- Topic 1: Smart breeding
- Topic 2: Food loss and waste
6. Review Process
The peer review was conducted by evaluating the NARO research programs based on the level of research, the efforts for societal implementation of the results, or the potential. Reviewers were expected to make recommendations for research directions and improvement of results, and to evaluate the overall quality of each research program based on the following criteria: (i) progress and achievement of plans; (ii) impact (contribution of results to agriculture, industry, government, academia, and society); and (iii) future prospects (possibility of achieving results and appropriateness of policy). Each research program was evaluated with the following rating. S: To maximize the results of R&D, the creation of particularly noteworthy results or the expectation of excellent results in the future are recognized, A: To maximize the results of R&D, the creation of noteworthy results or the expectation of good results in the future is recognized, B: To maximize the results of R&D, research is conducted on an ongoing basis, and the creation of results or expectations of future results are recognized, C: To maximize the R&D results, further innovations and improvements are required, D: To maximize R&D results, special efforts and improvements, including fundamental reviews, are required.
In addition, two topics, i.e., "Food Loss and Waste" and "Smart Breeding," related to our research vision were discussed by the reviewers and NARO executives at this meeting. After the meeting, the reviewers provided comments, suggestions, and recommendations on the overall discussion of NARO's research vision.
