The Technology Application Research Team was newly established in FY2026 within the Food Research Institute of NARO. In collaboration with NARO's research centers engaged in rice breeding, the team works on the project "Support for the Dissemination of Varieties and Utilization Technologies for Rice Flour" (FY2026-2028). While demand for rice flour made from domestic rice is increasing, fluctuations in the supply and demand of staple rice have led to a shortage of raw materials. Under these conditions, NARO is expected to leverage its developed varieties and technologies to meet domestic demand and contribute to rice-related export targets. To this end, the team collaborates with companies possessing advanced milling and processing technologies, promotes high-value-added product development, and supports the formation of raw material production areas. Through these efforts, we aim to foster a "rice flour value chain" linking production, milling, processing, and sales, thereby supporting the expansion of the use of domestic rice flour.
