Update:March 7, 2017

Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science (SAKURA Science Plan) Takes Place

Under the sponsorship of the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science, or SAKURA Science Plan, aims at promoting exchanges between Asian and Japanese youths through short-term visits to Japan. Aged 40 and younger, the participants will play a crucial role in the future. ICETT arranged an eight-day exchange program for the agency, while inviting ten participants from Gansu Province, China: researchers, engaged in agriculture and food production, and government officials who intend to establish an organic guarantee system in China.

　1). Theme: promotion of eco-friendly agriculture and organic food production

　2). Duration: November 13 (Sun.) to 20 (Sun.), 2016

　3). Participants: ten Chinese researchers and government officials

　4). Background　

In Gansu Province in northwestern China, agricultural activities to produce mainly drought tolerant crops are conducted under a variety of climates. Crops produced there are distributed mainly across China. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in safe, nutritious, and healthy food in and outside China. In these circumstances, the Chinese province is expected to play an active role in implementing eco-friendly agricultural activities and organic food production in the farming areas because it is not as active in the industrial field as other Chinese provinces. This course was designed for the participants to learn about the eco-friendly Japanese methods to produce crops, the distribution of farm produce, and the efforts to produce safe food in response to a request from the Gansu Production Promotion Center under the Gansu Provincial Department of Science and Technology.

　　　　

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Visiting relevant facilities

　5). Course Summary

At the beginning of the course, the participants learned about the Japanese legal systems regarding agriculture and food and about how new systems have been developed after standards gradually became stricter in accordance with change in social needs. From the middle phase to the end of the training, they visited factories, which produce organic food, and agricultural facilities in which science and technology are effectively used. They listened to the workers there about their challenges and creative ideas while exchanging opinions with them in relation to problems with the introduction of technology into the Chinese province.

There is a great demand in China for organic food. However, only a limited quantity of organic food is distributed in the Chinese market because of various reasons, such as “It is expensive.” and “Credibility of the Chinese guarantee system is low.” It is highly expected that the participants will take advantage of what they have learned in this course, including useful ideas by those who engage in food production and efforts by local governments, while helping produce organic food and establish a guarantee system in Gansu. Safer and more delicious food will be imported to Japan from the Chinese province and seen on the Japanese table.

ICETT would like to express its gratitude for the cordial support and cooperation of those from relevant organizations engaged in agriculture and organic food production in the Tokai and Kanto regions of Japan.