Workshop on Agriculture Conservation and Productivity Improvement in the Agriculture and Food Industries

The Workshop on Agriculture Conservation and Productivity Improvement in the Agriculture and Food Industries was successfully implemented from 14 to 15 November in Japan. The workshop was arranged under HRD Project Phase 3 Extension in collaboration with The Institute for the Development of Agriculture Cooperative in Asia (IDACA).

The workshop was attended by 53 participants, including 17 Focal Points from universities and implementing agencies, 8 Focal Points from the ASWGAC, 6 Focal Points from the AWGATE, 7 representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), 4 representatives from IDACA, 1 representative from the ASEAN Secretariat, and 4 representatives from the HRD Project. Additionally, 6 experts from Japan’s private companies, research institutions, and universities shared their extensive knowledge and experience on topics relevant to agriculture and conservation.

During the workshop, several pertinent topics aimed at improving productivity in the food industry were discussed. These included building a food value chain for rice flour through a breeding and research-focused approach, addressing the issue of mycotoxins in maize and exploring countermeasures, as well as investigating innovative food processing and sterilisation technologies utilising electricity. Furthermore, a standardisation project on “Functional Substances in Agricultural Produce” was introduced to enhance the quality and consistency of agricultural products.

The participants also took part in a study visit to key locations in Japan, including the Tsukuba Agriculture Research Centre, the Research Centre for Genetic Resources at the National Agriculture Research Centre (NARO), and the direct sales shop for agricultural products at Michino-eki Shonan in Kashiwa City. These visits aimed to share knowledge and practical insights into Japan’s advancements in Food Value Chain (FVC), Food Safety Management (FSM), and Food Analysis (FA). The goal was to explore strategic pathways for further enhancement and development through partnerships and collaborations between universities, government bodies, and private entities in the agriculture and food sectors, with a particular focus on human resource development.