We have experienced several consecutive years of extremely hot summers; the impact of climate change on agricultural production is becoming increasingly apparent, and 'adaptation measures' to reduce these damages and maintain and improve agricultural production are becoming increasingly important. To devise adaptation measures for a future in which climate change is expected to intensify, it is essential first to accurately identify the impacts of climate change and determine their causes. Within our department, therefore, we will collect the data on atmospheric environment and crop responses; investigate the underlying mechanisms using modelling and experimental methods; analyse information and project impacts across multiple spatiotemporal scales using the latest weather forecasts, climate scenarios and impact assessment models; and quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of adaptation measures through field trials and data analysis. In addition, there is an increasing demand at domestic agricultural production sites for advanced cultivation management support information that leverages meteorological forecasts as well as data provided by producers and other relevant stakeholders. Our research project will play a central role as a hub for sharing aggregated data, research findings and intellectual property, including the implementation of research outcomes and their models into society through the agricultural data interoperability platform, WAGRI. Furthermore, whilst maintaining and improving productivity in the face of climate change, we aim to enhance the resilience of crop production from the field level to the global scale by ensuring that our efforts are compatible with climate change mitigation measures.
